Nigeria's examination and admissions board, JAMB, has commenced registration for candidates seeking places in NCE programmes and Non Technological Agricultural Programmes in Polytechnics, activating a federal policy that removes the UTME as an entry requirement for both pathways.

The policy, announced earlier by the Federal Government, exempts prospective NCE and agricultural programme students from sitting the annual Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination. In its place, the board established a dedicated registration process designed to uphold admissions standards across participating institutions.

Fabian Benjamin, Acting Director of Public Affairs and Protocol, stated that the board had put in place "a robust admission process to ensure that only qualified candidates are admitted, thereby maintaining and enhancing the quality and standards of these programmes."

Eligible candidates are directed to proceed to any Institutional Professional Registration Centre in a College of Education or any board Professional Registration Centre nationwide, with valid O'Level credentials as the primary qualifying requirement.

A provision has also been made for those who participated in the 2026 UTME but have since decided to switch to NCE or any Non Technological Agricultural Programme. The board confirmed that such individuals may approach any designated centre to convert their existing application, with no extra charge applied.

The registration exercise remains ongoing at centres across all states, and the board urged those who meet the O'Level credit requirements to visit the nearest outlet promptly to avoid delays.