The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has commenced registration for candidates seeking admission into Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) programmes offered by Colleges of Education without sitting for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The registration route also covers candidates seeking admission into non technological National Diploma (ND) programmes in agriculture and related fields. Although eligible applicants will not be required to write UTME, JAMB registration remains compulsory.
The policy gives eligible candidates another route into teacher education and selected agricultural programmes, while JAMB will continue to screen credentials and process admission through the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS).
JAMB NCE and Agricultural ND Registration
JAMB has introduced a registration route for eligible candidates who want to study NCE programmes or non technological agricultural ND programmes without writing the annual UTME.
According to JAMB spokesperson Fabian Benjamin, candidates who possess the required O'Level credits may register at designated centres across Nigeria.
The arrangement follows the Federal Government's decision to exempt eligible applicants from sitting for UTME for the affected programmes.
Which Candidates Can Register Without UTME?
The UTME exemption covers candidates seeking admission into the following programme categories:
Nigeria Certificate in Education programmes at Colleges of Education
Non technological National Diploma programmes in agriculture
Non technological ND programmes in agriculture related fields
Candidates must still possess the required O'Level qualifications and complete the compulsory JAMB registration process at an approved centre.
Is JAMB Registration Still Compulsory?
Yes. Candidates will still be required to register with JAMB even though they will not sit for UTME.
JAMB will use the registration process to:
Screen applicants
Verify academic credentials
Certify submitted records
Process admission letters through CAPS
Therefore, an applicant cannot simply obtain admission from a College of Education or other institution without going through the required JAMB registration process.
O Level Requirements for Registration
Eligible candidates must possess the relevant O'Level credits required for their chosen programme.
At the 2026 admission policy meeting in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, stated that candidates seeking admission into Colleges of Education could apply with at least four relevant credit passes.
However, the statement does not provide a separate minimum number of O'Level credits for candidates seeking admission into non technological agricultural ND programmes. Such applicants must meet the relevant academic requirements for their proposed programmes.
Where Can Candidates Register?
Eligible candidates may register at any designated:
Institutional Professional Registration Centre (IPRC) located at a College of Education
JAMB Professional Registration Centre (PRC)
These registration centres are available across Nigeria.
Candidates are expected to present their O'Level credentials and complete the required JAMB registration and verification process at the selected centre.
What Is an IPRC?
IPRC means Institutional Professional Registration Centre.
These centres are located within Colleges of Education and have been approved to register eligible applicants covered by the UTME exemption policy.
Candidates seeking admission into eligible NCE programmes may use an approved IPRC to complete the required JAMB registration.
What Is a JAMB PRC?
A JAMB Professional Registration Centre is a designated centre where eligible candidates can complete the required registration process.
Candidates covered by the policy may use either an approved IPRC located at a College of Education or a JAMB PRC.
How Can Eligible Candidates Register?
Candidates who qualify for the UTME exemption may follow the steps below:
Confirm that the proposed programme is an eligible NCE programme or covered agricultural ND programme.
Gather the required O'Level credentials.
Visit a designated IPRC or JAMB Professional Registration Centre.
Complete the JAMB registration process.
Allow the centre to verify the submitted academic credentials.
Follow the admission process through JAMB CAPS after the required checks have been completed.
Candidates covered by this arrangement do not need to register for or sit for the annual UTME.
Which Documents Should Candidates Take to the Centre?
The available information requires eligible candidates to visit the designated registration centre with their O'Level credentials.
The statement does not provide a complete list of additional documents required for registration.
Applicants should therefore follow any further instructions issued by the designated IPRC or JAMB Professional Registration Centre during registration.
Important Information
Candidates seeking admission through this route should keep the following points in mind:
The exemption from UTME does not mean exemption from JAMB registration.
Only eligible NCE and covered agricultural ND programmes are included.
Candidates must possess the relevant O'Level qualifications.
JAMB will verify the credentials submitted by applicants.
Candidates who sat the 2026 UTME may convert their applications to eligible programmes at no additional cost.
Admission letters will still be processed through JAMB CAPS.
The exemption does not cover every ND programme.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can a candidate enter a College of Education without writing UTME?
A: Yes. A candidate with the required relevant O'Level credits may seek NCE admission without sitting for UTME. The candidate must still register with JAMB.
Q: How many O'Level credits are required for NCE admission?
A: The Minister of Education stated that a candidate needs at least four relevant credit passes to apply for admission into a College of Education under the policy.
Q: Can an Agricultural ND applicant register without UTME?
A: Yes. The exemption covers non technological National Diploma programmes in agriculture and related fields.
Q: Must candidates visit a JAMB centre?
A: Candidates may register at a designated Institutional Professional Registration Centre located at a College of Education or a JAMB Professional Registration Centre.
Q: Can registration be completed without O'Level credentials?
A: No. Eligible candidates must present the required O'Level credentials at the registration centre.
Q: Will candidates write the annual UTME?
A: Candidates covered by the policy will not be required to sit for the annual UTME.
Q: Can a 2026 UTME candidate convert an application?
A: Yes. A candidate who sat the 2026 UTME may convert the application to an NCE or covered agricultural ND programme at a designated registration centre.
Q: Is the conversion free?
A: Yes. JAMB stated that the conversion would be completed at no additional cost.
Q: Will JAMB still issue the admission letter?
A: Yes. JAMB will screen, verify and certify the candidate's credentials before the admission letter is issued through CAPS.
Q: Is every Agricultural ND programme covered?
A: No. The exemption covers non technological agricultural and agriculture related ND programmes.
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