The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has ended admissions into affiliated degree programmes run by Colleges of Education, effective from the 2026/2027 academic session. Under the new policy, the Nigeria Certificate in Education becomes the only route for fresh entrants into the institutions.

The directive is contained in JAMB’s NCE/ND Agric Registration Guidelines released by the Office of the Registrar in June 2026. The Board stated that “no admission into any affiliated programme in any College of Education from 2026/7 Session” will be permitted. It also ruled out direct entry into 100 and 200 levels in Colleges of Education, insisting that all new students must enter through the NCE programme.

The change ends decades of affiliated degree arrangements where Colleges of Education awarded university degrees in partnership with conventional universities. Thousands of candidates who applied for degree programmes through affiliated Colleges of Education for 2026 admissions will be affected. To cushion the impact, JAMB provided options for Direct Entry candidates who had chosen affiliated Colleges of Education. They can change institution at no cost, transfer to the parent university offering the degree, or move their second-choice school to first choice for admission processing. Candidates who opt to move to the parent university have until June 22 to complete the switch.

For UTME candidates seeking 100-level admission into affiliated Colleges of Education, JAMB gave three options: change institution, elevate second choice to first choice, or migrate to the NCE programme. Those who choose NCE must obtain an O’Level verification code from the relevant exam body and pay ₦700 registration fee on the JAMB portal. The Board noted that choosing NCE indicates interest in the qualification and will suspend any ongoing UTME or Direct Entry application. Candidates who applied through 2026 UTME will have their details automatically migrated to their first-choice College of Education or Agric-related Non-Technology ND programmes.

JAMB also made O’Level verification mandatory for all NCE applicants, with fees set at ₦1,500 for one sitting and ₦2,000 for two sittings. The Board urged Colleges of Education, Professional Registration Centres, accredited CBT centres and its officials nationwide to study the guidelines and ensure strict compliance.

The policy reinforces NCE as the foundational qualification for teacher education in Nigeria, closing the affiliated degree pathway for new admissions from 2026/2027.

Source: Punch News