NCCE Breaks Silence on JAMB Exemption for NCE Admissions

The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education, Dr Angela Ajala, has clarified growing concerns surrounding the Federal Government’s recent policy on admission into Colleges of Education, insisting that the reform does not amount to scrapping the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination for prospective students.

Ajala explained that the new policy, which exempts candidates seeking admission into Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) programmes from sitting the UTME, is aimed at widening access to teacher education while maintaining proper regulation through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

According to her, candidates would still be required to register with JAMB for screening, verification, and admission processing through the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS), even if they do not write the examination.

She said the initiative forms part of broader reforms introduced under the “Dual Mandate” framework, designed to reposition Colleges of Education and strengthen teacher training in the country.

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Ajala noted that the new structure would allow accredited Colleges of Education to provide a more coordinated pathway for students to obtain the NCE qualification and later progress into degree programmes under an approved system.

“Under the new continuous five-year NCE-Degree model, students are expected to complete the three-year NCE programme and then proceed into an additional two-year degree programme as eligible candidates. This preserves the NCE as the professional foundation for teacher education while creating a smoother route for those who want to advance into degree certification,” she said.

She stressed that the reform should not be misunderstood as a downgrade of Colleges of Education or the NCE qualification.

“It is not the death of the NCE but the strengthening of it. It is not lowering standards, it is creating access, structure, and progression,” Ajala stated.

The NCCE boss further explained that the policy would help address declining enrolment in Colleges of Education and the shortage of qualified teachers across Nigeria’s basic education sector.

She said the reform would make Colleges of Education more attractive while improving the quality of teacher preparation through a stronger grounding in pedagogy and subject content.

Ajala added that the initiative would also create a stronger pipeline of qualified teachers needed to improve learning outcomes in schools nationwide.

Meanwhile, the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) has backed the five-year NCE-degree structure, describing it as a timely intervention that can support the all-round professional development of student-teachers.

The union said the reform would help restore the dignity of the teaching profession and reposition teacher education for future demands.

“At a time when teacher education needs renewal, the Dual Mandate sends a clear message, and that is that teaching must no longer be treated as a fallback profession; it must become a properly structured, respected, and future-ready pathway,” COEASU stated.

“The future of Nigeria’s classrooms depends on the quality of teachers we prepare today,” the union added

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