"The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially exempted candidates seeking admission into Education Programmes and Agriculture non-Engineering Courses from writing the UTME. This policy, announced on May 11, 2026, also extends to National Diploma programmes in non-technology agricultural courses. Candidates affected by this exemption should still register with JAMB through the designated professional registration centres."
JAMB Announces UTME Exemption for Education and Agriculture Courses
Published: July 27, 2026 | Source: CampusAI News
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📌 Overview
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially exempted candidates seeking admission into Education Programmes and Agriculture non-Engineering Courses from writing the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME)[reference:40][reference:41].
This landmark policy was announced at the 2026 JAMB Policy Meeting held on Monday, May 11, 2026, chaired by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa[reference:42].
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🎯 What the Exemption Covers
Eligible Programmes
| Category | Examples |
|----------|----------|
| Education Programmes | NCE programmes in Colleges of Education; Education-related courses in universities |
| Agriculture non-Engineering Courses | Agricultural Science, Crop Production, Animal Science, Fisheries, etc.[reference:43] |
| National Diploma (ND) Agriculture | Non-technology agricultural and agriculture-related courses[reference:44] |
> "Candidates seeking admissions into Education Programmes and Agriculture non-Engineering Courses are now exempted from UTME." — JAMB Official Statement[reference:45]
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⚠️ Important Clarification
NOT a Blanket Exemption
The exemption does not apply to all Education and Agriculture applicants. It specifically targets[reference:46]:
| Included | Not Included |
|----------|--------------|
| NCE programmes in Colleges of Education | Bachelor's degree programmes in universities |
| Non-technology agriculture courses | Engineering-related agriculture courses |
| ND programmes in non-technology agriculture | University degree programmes in Education |
> Fact Check: The Federal Government did not announce a blanket exemption for all education and agriculture applicants, including those seeking admission into universities to study related courses[reference:47].
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📋 What This Means for Candidates
For NCE and Agriculture Applicants
| Requirement | Status |
|-------------|--------|
| UTME Examination | ❌ No longer required[reference:48] |
| JAMB Registration | ✅ Still required (candidates must register with JAMB)[reference:49] |
| O'Level Requirements | ✅ Still required (minimum of four credit passes) |
| CAPS Processing | ✅ Still required (admissions processed through CAPS) |
For University Applicants
| Requirement | Status |
|-------------|--------|
| UTME Examination | ✅ Still required (for university degree programmes) |
| Post-UTME Screening | ✅ Still required (varies by institution) |
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📝 Next Steps for Affected Candidates
1. Visit a JAMB Professional Registration Centre (PRC)
- Registration is available at designated centres nationwide
2.
Bring Your O'Level Credentials- Minimum of four credit passes in relevant subjects
3.
Complete JAMB Registration- Even without UTME, candidates must still register with JAMB
4.
Monitor JAMB CAPS- Admission offers will be processed through CAPS
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❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Do I still need to write UTME for Education or Agriculture courses?
A: It depends. Candidates seeking admission into NCE programmes and non-technology agriculture ND programmes are exempted from UTME[reference:50][reference:51]. However, university degree programmes in these fields still require UTME[reference:52].
Q: Can I apply for university degree programmes in Education without UTME?
A: No. The exemption applies to NCE programmes in Colleges of Education, not university bachelor's degree programmes[reference:53].
Q: Do I still need to register with JAMB?
A: Yes. All candidates, including those exempted from UTME, must still register with JAMB[reference:54].
Q: How do I register without UTME?
A: Visit any JAMB Professional Registration Centre (PRC) or accredited JAMB CBT centre with your O'Level credentials.
Q: When was this policy announced?
A: The policy was announced at the 2026 JAMB Policy Meeting on Monday, May 11, 2026[reference:55].
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> 📌 Editor's Note: This article is based on official JAMB announcements and verified news sources as of July 2026. The UTME exemption applies specifically to NCE programmes and non-technology agriculture ND programmes, not university degree programmes. Always verify critical information on the official JAMB website at jamb.gov.ng.