FG Abolishes UTME Requirement for NCE Admission Pathway in Major Education Reform Move

The Federal Government has announced the removal of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) requirement for candidates seeking admission into the National Certificate in Education (NCE) programme, in what is being described as a significant shift in Nigeria’s teacher education policy.

The decision, which takes immediate effect according to education authorities, is aimed at expanding access to teacher training and addressing persistent shortages of qualified educators across basic education levels.

The policy change means prospective students seeking admission into Colleges of Education for the NCE programme will no longer be required to sit for the UTME conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

Education stakeholders say the reform is designed to remove barriers that have historically limited entry into teacher education, particularly for candidates in rural and underserved communities.

Officials also argue that the move will strengthen enrolment into Colleges of Education and improve the pipeline of trained teachers needed to support Nigeria’s basic education system.

While further details on implementation modalities are expected to be released by the Ministry of Education, the announcement has already sparked widespread discussion among education policymakers, school administrators and prospective candidates.

Analysts note that the policy could significantly reshape admission processes into Colleges of Education and potentially ease pressure on the UTME system, while raising questions about standardisation and quality assurance in admissions.

The Federal Government is expected to provide additional guidelines in the coming days on eligibility criteria and transitional arrangements for institutions affected by the new directive.