No UTME Required: JAMB Begins Registration for NCE, Non-Technological Agricultural Programmes

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has commenced the registration of candidates seeking admission into Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) programmes in Colleges of Education and Non-Technological Agricultural National Diploma (ND) programmes in Polytechnics.

The registration exercise follows the Federal Government's decision to exempt candidates seeking admission into the programmes from sitting the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), while introducing a new admission process to ensure that only qualified applicants are admitted. 

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Announcing the commencement of the exercise in a statement on Thursday, JAMB's Acting Director of Public Affairs and Protocol, Dr Fabian Benjamin, urged eligible candidates to register at approved centres nationwide.

"As previously announced, the Federal Government has waived the requirement for candidates seeking admission into NCE and Non-Technological Agricultural Programmes to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). Consequently, JAMB has developed a robust admission process to ensure that only qualified candidates are admitted, thereby maintaining and enhancing the quality and standards of these programmes."

Benjamin said interested candidates who possess the required O'Level credits should visit any Institutional Professional Registration Centre (IPRC) located in Colleges of Education or any JAMB Professional Registration Centre (PRC) nationwide to complete their registration.

"Interested candidates are advised to visit any Institutional Professional Registration Centre (IPRC) located in Colleges of Education or any JAMB Professional Registration Centre (PRC) nationwide to register, provided they possess the required O'Level credits." 

He explained that under the new admission arrangement, eligible applicants are only required to present their O'Level credentials at the designated registration centres, eliminating the need to write the annual UTME.

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"Under this policy, eligible candidates only need to visit any designated IPRC or JAMB PRC with their O'Level credentials to complete their registration. There is no requirement to sit for the annual UTME." 

The Board also disclosed that candidates who had earlier registered for the 2026 UTME but have now decided to pursue NCE or Non-Technological Agricultural programmes can convert their applications without paying an additional fee.

"Candidates who sat for the 2026 UTME but have decided to pursue NCE or Non-Technological Agricultural Programmes can convert their applications at any IPRC or JAMB PRC at no additional cost."

Benjamin encouraged prospective candidates to take advantage of the opportunity by completing their registration at the designated centres as early as possible.

"Candidates are therefore encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity by promptly visiting the designated registration centres in Colleges of Education or JAMB offices nationwide to complete their registration." 

The registration exercise is expected to boost enrolment into Colleges of Education and agricultural institutions while expanding access to tertiary education in line with the Federal Government's education reform agenda. 

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