The Federal Government has announced that candidates seeking admission into colleges of education will no longer be required to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, disclosed this on Monday during the 2026 UTME admission policy meeting held in Abuja, stating that the new policy will take effect from next year.
Under the new arrangement, candidates with at least four credit passes in relevant subjects will be eligible to apply for admission into colleges of education without writing the UTME.
Despite the exemption, prospective applicants will still be required to register with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). Their credentials will undergo screening, verification, and certification before admission letters are issued through the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS).
Alausa said the decision was informed by evidence showing that colleges of education have the capacity to absorb more students, especially from their host communities.
According to him, factors such as affordability, proximity, cultural alignment, and growing community demand for teacher education contributed to the policy shift.
The minister further revealed that similar exemptions have been extended to candidates seeking admission into National Diploma programmes in non-technology, agricultural, and agriculture-related courses.
He explained that the initiative is aimed at expanding access to tertiary education while maintaining the integrity of the admission process.
Alausa added that the policy would reduce the pressure associated with UTME and encourage greater enrolment in teacher education and agricultural programmes, which he described as vital to national development.