JUST IN: Education, agriculture candidates now exempted from UTME, says JAMB

In a major shift for Nigeria's tertiary admission process, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the Federal Government announced today, May 11, 2026, that certain candidates will no longer be required to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

The decision was revealed by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, during the 2026 annual policy meeting on admissions held in Abuja.

Who is Exempted?
The new policy specifically targets two categories of students:

Education Candidates: Students seeking admission into Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) programs in Colleges of Education.

Agriculture Candidates: Prospective students for Agriculture-related non-engineering courses.

New Admission Requirements
Instead of the standard UTME score, candidates in these fields will now be evaluated based on:

Minimum O-Level Credits: A minimum of four credits in relevant subjects in their Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE).

Direct Institutional Screening: Institutions will likely move toward more direct assessment or screening processes for these applicants rather than relying on a centralized high-stakes exam.

The "Why" Behind the Policy
The Federal Government and JAMB cited several strategic reasons for this move:

Boosting Enrollment: There has been a recorded decline in interest in education and agriculture programs. By removing the UTME barrier, the government hopes to attract more students to these critical sectors.

Addressing Teacher Shortages: Simplifying the path to NCE programs is a direct attempt to solve the nationwide shortage of qualified primary and secondary school teachers.

Ease of Access: The Minister noted that the move is designed to reduce the financial and psychological burden on students pursuing vocational and foundational professional roles that are vital for national development.

Wider Policy Updates
While these specific candidates are exempted, the policy meeting also addressed other critical areas for the 2026/2027 session:

Minimum Age: The 16-year age limit remains a standard, though exceptions are occasionally made for "exceptional" candidates.

Result Withdrawals: JAMB recently confirmed the withdrawal of some 2026 UTME results for a "mop-up" exercise due to identified irregularities in certain centers.