The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has discontinued admissions into degree programmes offered through affiliations between Colleges of Education and universities, a move that significantly reshapes teacher training in Nigeria.
Under the new directive, the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) will become the exclusive admission pathway into Colleges of Education beginning from the 2026/2027 academic session.
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The policy is contained in JAMB’s latest NCE and National Diploma (ND) Agriculture registration guidelines released by the Registrar’s office in June 2026.
According to the Board, admissions into all university-affiliated degree programmes operating within Colleges of Education will cease from the 2026/2027 academic year.
JAMB also announced the termination of direct entry into 100-level and 200-level degree programmes in Colleges of Education, stressing that prospective students must now gain admission through the NCE route.
The Board stated that all new entrants into Colleges of Education would be enrolled through the NCE programme, effectively bringing an end to the long-standing affiliation model that enabled such institutions to award university degrees in collaboration with partner universities.
The policy change is expected to impact thousands of admission seekers who had applied for degree programmes through affiliated Colleges of Education for the 2026 admission exercise.
To ease the transition, JAMB provided several alternatives for Direct Entry candidates affected by the decision. Applicants may transfer to another institution without charge, move their application to the parent university overseeing the affiliated programme, or promote their second-choice institution to first choice for admission consideration.
The Board explained that candidates may elect to continue their studies directly with the university to which the programme was originally affiliated.
Applicants intending to make any of these changes were advised to complete the process on or before June 22.
Likewise, UTME candidates who selected affiliated Colleges of Education for degree studies have been given three options: switch to another institution, elevate their second-choice institution to first choice, or convert to the NCE programme.
Candidates choosing the NCE option will be required to obtain an O’Level verification code from the relevant examination body and pay a registration fee of ₦700 through the JAMB portal.
JAMB noted that selecting a College of Education reflects an interest in obtaining the NCE qualification and therefore allows affected candidates to migrate to the institution’s NCE programme.
The guidelines further clarify that NCE admission is considered a deliberate choice. Any applicant recommended for admission into the programme will automatically have any ongoing UTME or Direct Entry admission process placed on hold.
The Board also revealed that details of candidates who applied through the 2026 UTME would be automatically transferred to their selected first-choice Colleges of Education or agriculture-related non-technology ND programmes where applicable.
In addition, JAMB introduced compulsory O’Level verification for all NCE applicants, with verification fees fixed at ₦1,500 for a single sitting and ₦2,000 for two sittings.
The Board directed Colleges of Education, Institutional Professional Registration Centres, accredited Computer-Based Test centres and its personnel nationwide to familiarize themselves with the new procedures and ensure full compliance.
For many years, affiliated degree programmes provided Colleges of Education with a framework for offering bachelor’s degrees in partnership with universities, enabling students to earn university qualifications while studying at the colleges.
However, the new policy formally brings that arrangement to an end for future admissions and strengthens the NCE as the primary qualification for teacher education in Nigeria.
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