"JAMB has banned degree admissions in Colleges of Education, making NCE the sole entry route from 2026/2027."
Major Policy Shift Effective 2026/2027 Session
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially ended all admissions into affiliated degree programmes offered by Colleges of Education effective from the 2026/2027 academic session .
This means candidates can no longer gain admission into 100-level or 200-level degree programmes at these institutions. The National Certificate of Education (NCE) is now the sole entry route into Colleges of Education .
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Why the Change?
JAMB's decision aligns with the Federal Government's Dual Mandate Policy, which empowers qualified Colleges of Education to award both NCE and bachelor's degrees independently. However, until full implementation, no new degree admissions will be processed through the affiliated university pathway .
According to JAMB, this reform aims to:
· ✅ Streamline the admission process
· ✅ Ensure candidates are properly prepared for their chosen careers
· ✅ Reduce confusion caused by multiple admission pathways
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What This Means for Candidates
UTME Candidates
If you applied for an affiliated degree programme in a College of Education, you now have these options:
1. Transfer to the parent university (at no extra cost)
2. Change institution to a university that offers your programme
3. Switch to the NCE programme
⚠️ Important: The deadline for making these changes was June 22, 2026 . Affected candidates who missed the deadline may need to visit a JAMB-accredited CBT centre for assistance .
Direct Entry Candidates
Direct Entry applicants are also affected. Options include:
· Transferring to the parent university
· Changing institution
· Switching to NCE
Fees apply for changes: ₦700 for NCE registration and ₦1,500–₦2,000 for O'Level verification .
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What About Already-Admitted Students?
Students already admitted into degree programmes in Colleges of Education are not affected by this policy . The ban applies only to new admissions from the 2026/2027 session onward.
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Next Steps for Affected Candidates
1. Log in to your JAMB CAPS portal to check your admission status
2. If your programme is affected, visit an accredited JAMB CBT centre immediately
3. Consider your options: Transfer, change institution, or switch to NCE
4. Complete the NCE registration process if you choose that route
5. Print your change of data slip for your records
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Conclusion
While this policy shift presents challenges, it also ensures that candidates receive more focused and relevant education. Candidates are advised to act quickly and verify all information through JAMB's official website or accredited centres.