The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has formally ended admissions into affiliated degree programmes run by Colleges of Education, introducing a sweeping reform that reshapes teacher education in Nigeria and confines entry strictly to the Nigeria Certificate in Education route from the 2026/2027 academic session.
The decision, contained in the Board’s newly released NCE/ND Agric Registration Guidelines issued in June 2026, marks the end of long standing partnerships that allowed Colleges of Education to award university degrees in collaboration with conventional universities.
According to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, “no admission into any affiliated programme in any College of Education from 2026/7 Session.”
The Board further ruled out direct entry into 100 and 200 levels in Colleges of Education.
“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 Board stated.
The policy effectively terminates affiliated degree programmes that had served for decades as an alternative pathway for students seeking university degrees through Colleges of Education.
JAMB explained that affected candidates who had already applied for affiliated degree programmes under the 2026 admission cycle would not be left stranded, as several options had been provided for them.
According to the Board, “a candidate may choose to be moved to the parent university to which the Degree programme is affiliated.”
It added that candidates may also opt for a change of institution at no cost or allow their second choice institution to become their first choice for admission consideration.
The Board also set a deadline, noting that candidates wishing to make adjustments must complete the process on or before June 22.
For UTME candidates seeking admission into affiliated Colleges of Education at 100 level, JAMB stated that they could either change institution, promote their second choice institution to first choice, or migrate into the NCE programme.
Explaining the NCE pathway, the Board said candidates who choose that option would be required to obtain an O’Level verification code and pay only ₦700 on the JAMB 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,” it stated.
JAMB also introduced mandatory O’Level verification for all NCE applicants, pegging the fee at ₦1,500 for one sitting and ₦2,000 for two sittings.
It warned that candidates who opt for the NCE route would have any ongoing UTME or Direct Entry process suspended once recommended for admission.
“Anyone who chooses NCE and s/he is proposed/recommended, would have any ongoing UTME/DE process suspended,” the Board added.
