Nigeria’s tertiary admission system is undergoing a major shift as the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) exempts candidates applying for Education and non-engineering Agriculture programmes from writing the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). Announced at the 2026 policy meeting in Abuja, the reform opens new pathways into higher education and is already stirring debate on access, standards, and the future of university admissions in Nigeria. Read full details.

JAMB EXEMPTS EDUCATION AND AGRICULTURE CANDIDATES FROM UTME: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

‎The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced a major policy shift affecting tertiary education admissions in Nigeria, exempting candidates applying for Education programmes and Agriculture-related non-engineering courses from sitting the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

‎The decision was disclosed on Monday, May 11, 2026, during JAMB’s ongoing 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions to Tertiary Institutions held in Abuja, where key stakeholders in the education sector reviewed admission guidelines for universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education across the country.

‎According to an official statement posted on JAMB’s verified X handle, the board confirmed that “candidates seeking admissions into Education Programmes and Agriculture non-Engineering Courses are now exempted from UTME,” marking a significant departure from the long-standing requirement for all tertiary education applicants to write the national entrance examination.

‎The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, who announced the reform at the policy meeting, explained that candidates seeking admission into National Certificate in Education (NCE) programmes would no longer be required to sit for UTME, provided they possess at least four credit passes in relevant subjects. He, however, stressed that such candidates must still register with JAMB and undergo proper screening through the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) before being issued admission letters.

‎‎Alausa further stated that the exemption would also cover National Diploma programmes in non-technology agriculture and related fields, noting that the policy was designed to expand access to higher education while maintaining academic standards.

According to him, “this approach strikes a necessary balance between widening access and preserving the integrity of our admission system,” adding that it would reduce pressure associated with UTME and encourage more students to pursue careers in education and agriculture.

‎The development represents a major shift in Nigeria’s tertiary admission framework, where UTME has traditionally served as the universal entry examination for universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. While institutions will still rely on screening and verification of credentials through JAMB, the new policy is expected to create alternative pathways for qualified candidates, particularly in sectors considered critical to national development such as education and agriculture.

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