The Federal Government has announced that candidates seeking to study Education and Agricultural Sciences will no longer be required to write the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) made the announcement in Abuja on Monday through a statement published on the board’s social media handles.
According to the statement, “Candidates seeking admissions into Education Programmes and Agriculture non-Engineering Courses are now exempted from UTME.”
Also, at the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions to Tertiary Institutions held in Abuja, Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, announced that candidates seeking admission into National Certificate in Education programmes would no longer be required to sit the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination if they possess the required qualifications
The Minister stated that, “Candidates seeking admission into the NCE programme, who possess a minimum of four credit passes, will no longer be required to sit for the UTME.”
Dr. Alausa, however, clarified that such candidates must still register with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board.
“However, it is imperative to emphasise that such candidates shall mandatorily register with JAMB, and their credentials shall be duly screened, verified, and certified for the issuance of admission letters through CAPS, in accordance with extant regulations,” he said.
The Minister explained that the exemption would also apply to candidates seeking admission into National Diploma programmes in non-technology agricultural and agriculture-related courses.
According to him, “this exemption shall extend to candidates seeking admission into National Diploma programmes in non-technology agricultural and agriculture-related courses.”
“This approach strikes a necessary balance between widening access and preserving the integrity of our admission system.
“It will not only ease the pressure associated with UTME but also encourage greater participation in teacher education and agricultural programmes, both of which are critical to national development.”