The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially ended admissions into affiliated degree programmes offered by Colleges of Education across Nigeria, introducing a major change to the country’s teacher education system.
The decision, contained in JAMB’s newly released NCE/ND Agric Registration Guidelines for the 2026/2027 academic session, effectively makes the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) the only entry route into Colleges of Education.
Under the new policy, JAMB stated that “no admission into any affiliated programme in any College of Education from 2026/7 Session.”
The Board further declared that direct admission into 100 and 200 levels in Colleges of Education would no longer be permitted.
“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 move brings an end to a long-standing arrangement that allowed Colleges of Education to offer degree programmes through affiliations with conventional universities.
Why Did JAMB Scrap Affiliated Degree Programmes?
The decision appears to be part of efforts to reinforce the NCE as the foundational qualification for teacher education in Nigeria.
For years, affiliated degree programmes enabled students to earn university degrees while studying in Colleges of Education through partnerships with universities. However, the new policy places renewed emphasis on the NCE pathway, making it the compulsory route for all fresh entrants into Colleges of Education from the 2026/2027 academic session.
By ending admissions into affiliated degree programmes and stopping direct entry into 100 and 200 levels, JAMB is effectively restructuring admission processes within Colleges of Education and standardising entry requirements across the system.
The Board also stressed that all admissions into Colleges of Education would now begin through the NCE programme, reinforcing its role as the primary qualification for teacher training.
What Happens to Candidates Already Seeking Admission?
To ease the transition, JAMB outlined several options for candidates who had already applied for affiliated degree programmes through Colleges of Education.
For Direct Entry candidates, the Board said affected applicants may change their institution at no cost, transfer to the parent university affiliated with the degree programme, or allow their second-choice institution to become their first choice for admission processing.
“A candidate may choose to be moved to the parent university to which the Degree programme is affiliated,” the Board said.
Candidates were also given until June 22 to complete any changes to their admission choices.
For UTME candidates seeking admission into affiliated Colleges of Education, JAMB provided three alternatives: change institution, elevate a second-choice institution to first choice, or migrate to the NCE programme.
“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,” JAMB explained.
The Board added that candidates who choose the NCE option would be required to obtain an O’Level verification code from the appropriate examination body and pay a ₦700 registration fee through the JAMB portal.
JAMB also warned that any candidate who opts for the NCE route and is recommended for admission would have any existing UTME or Direct Entry admission process suspended.
“Anyone who chooses NCE and s/he is proposed/recommended, would have any ongoing UTME/DE process suspended,” the Board stated.
Conclusion
JAMB’s decision marks the end of affiliated degree admissions in Colleges of Education and represents one of the most significant reforms in Nigeria’s teacher education sector in recent years.
By making the NCE the sole entry route into Colleges of Education, the Board is redefining how teacher training institutions admit students while reinforcing the NCE as the foundation for teacher education in the country.
The policy is expected to affect thousands of prospective students and institutions, but JAMB has provided transition options for affected candidates while directing Colleges of Education, registration centres and its officials nationwide to ensure full compliance with the new guidelines.
