The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced a major policy change in Nigeria’s tertiary education system, stopping fresh admissions into degree programmes run by Colleges of Education in affiliation with universities, beginning from the 2026/2027 academic session.
The decision marks a significant shift in the structure of teacher education and affiliated degree training across the country, where Colleges of Education have, for years, partnered with universities to offer degree programmes alongside the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE).
The new policy was contained in JAMB’s recently issued NCE/ND Agric Registration Guidelines released by the Office of the Registrar in June 2026. The Board stated clearly that from the new academic session, no new candidate will be admitted into any affiliated degree programme in any College of Education.
The document read in part: “No admission into any affiliated programme in any College of Education from 2026/7 Session.”
It further stated that Colleges of Education will no longer admit students into 100-level or 200-level degree programmes, insisting that all fresh intakes must now come strictly through the NCE pathway.
“With effect from 2026/7 Session, no admission into 100 or 200 Level is allowed into any College of Education. All entrants are through NCE,” the guidelines added.
For many years, Colleges of Education across Nigeria have run dual academic arrangements, where students could either pursue the NCE qualification or enrol in degree programmes through affiliation with universities. Under that system, students studied within the colleges but graduated with degrees awarded by partner universities.
This arrangement had provided an alternative route for candidates who could not gain direct admission into universities but still wished to earn a bachelor’s degree in education-related fields.
However, JAMB’s latest directive effectively ends that pathway for new applicants, meaning students can no longer gain admission into degree programmes through Colleges of Education starting from the 2026/2027 academic cycle.
The decision is expected to reshape admission patterns and may increase pressure on universities as more candidates compete for limited direct-entry degree spaces.
While the policy introduces a strict new direction, JAMB also provided transition options for candidates who had already applied for admission under the affected system.
According to the Board, Direct Entry candidates seeking admission into affiliated degree programmes may either change their institutions without paying any fee, transfer to the parent university of the affiliated programme, or allow their second-choice institution to be processed as their first choice.
“A candidate may choose to be moved to the parent university to which the Degree programme is affiliated,” the Board stated.
JAMB explained that these options were designed to ensure that no candidate is unfairly disadvantaged by the policy change.
Candidates who wish to make adjustments to their choices have been given a deadline of June 22 to complete the process.
The Board also outlined specific alternatives for Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) candidates who had earlier selected 100-level degree programmes in affiliated Colleges of Education.
Such candidates may switch to another institution entirely, upgrade their second-choice institution to first choice, or opt to be transferred into the NCE programme of their selected College of Education.
For those who accept the NCE route, JAMB said they will be required to obtain an O’Level verification code from the relevant examination body and pay a ₦700 processing fee through its official portal.
“The candidate may be moved to the NCE programme of the institution, on the understanding that the choice of the College of Education indicates an interest in pursuing the NCE qualification,” the Board explained.
The Board further clarified that candidates who choose the NCE option and are successfully recommended for admission will have any ongoing UTME or Direct Entry admission processes suspended.
“Anyone who chooses NCE and s/he is proposed/recommended, would have any ongoing UTME/DE process suspended,” JAMB said.
It also stated that data of candidates who had already applied through the 2026 UTME cycle would be automatically transferred to their preferred first-choice Colleges of Education or Agric-related non-technology National Diploma programmes.
This means that some applicants may still secure admission, but only within the revised framework approved by the Board.
As part of the new guidelines, JAMB has also made O’Level result verification compulsory for all NCE applicants.
Candidates with one sitting will pay ₦1,500 for verification, while those using two sittings will pay ₦2,000.
The Board said the verification process is necessary to improve transparency and ensure the integrity of admission records across institutions.
JAMB has directed all Colleges of Education, Institutional Professional Registration Centres (IPRCs), accredited Computer-Based Test centres, and its officers nationwide to carefully study the new guidelines and comply fully.
“All PRCs, IPRCs and Officers of the Board are to study the guidelines and ensure strict compliance with the information contained therein,” the Registrar stated.
The new policy is expected to generate reactions across Nigeria’s education sector, especially among Colleges of Education that have benefited from the affiliation system over the years.
For now, prospective students are advised to carefully review their options before the June 22 deadline as Nigeria’s tertiary admission system enters a new phase of regulation and restructuring.