"JAMB has officially commenced registration for NCE and Non-Technological Agricultural Programmes following the Federal Government's UTME waiver. Candidates need only four O'Level credits. Register at any JAMB PRC or IPRC nationwide. No UTME required."
JAMB Opens Registration for NCE and Non-Technological Agricultural Programmes
Published: July 23, 2026 | Source: CampusAI News
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Overview
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially commenced registration for candidates seeking admission into Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) programmes in Colleges of Education and Non-Technological Agricultural Programmes in Polytechnics. This follows the Federal Government's landmark decision to waive the UTME requirement for these programmes, a policy announced at the 2026 JAMB Policy Meeting in May.
The registration exercise is now active at designated Institutional Professional Registration Centres (IPRCs) located in Colleges of Education and JAMB Professional Registration Centres (PRCs) nationwide. Candidates are encouraged to visit these centres promptly to complete their registration.
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Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|--------|-------------|
| Programmes | NCE (Colleges of Education) & Non-Technological Agricultural ND (Polytechnics) |
| UTME Requirement | WAIVED — no UTME required |
| Minimum O'Level Requirement | Four credit passes |
| Registration Fee (NCE) | ₦700 (registration charge) + ₦3,500 (application fee) |
| O'Level Verification Fee | ₦1,500 (one sitting) / ₦2,000 (two sittings) |
| Registration Venues | IPRCs (Colleges of Education), PRCs, JAMB offices nationwide |
| Admission Processing | Through JAMB CAPS |
| UTME Conversion | Free for candidates who already sat for 2026 UTME |
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Why This Policy Was Introduced
At the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions to Tertiary Institutions held in Abuja on May 11, 2026, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced a major reform to expand access to teacher education and agricultural programmes.
Key Reasons for the Policy:
| Reason | Explanation |
|--------|-------------|
| Expand Access | Reduce restrictive admission processes that limit tertiary education access |
| Boost Teacher Education | Encourage greater participation in NCE programmes critical to national development |
| Strengthen Agriculture | Increase enrollment in non-technology agricultural programmes |
| Ease UTME Pressure | Reduce the burden on candidates and the examination system |
Speaking at the event, Minister Alausa stated:
> "This approach strikes a necessary balance between widening access and preserving the integrity of our admission system. It will not only ease the pressure associated with UTME but also encourage greater participation in teacher education and agricultural programmes, both of which are critical to national development."
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Eligibility Requirements
For NCE Programmes
- Minimum of four credit passes in relevant O'Level subjects
- Must register with JAMB for screening and verification
- Credentials must be screened, verified, and certified through CAPS
For Non-Technological Agricultural ND Programmes
- Minimum O'Level credits in relevant subjects
- Must register with JAMB
- Applies to non-engineering agriculture and agriculture-related courses
>
⚠️ Important: Candidates with
awaiting results will not be considered until their results are uploaded and verified.
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Registration Process
Step 1: Generate Profile Code
Candidates must first generate a Profile Code using their National Identification Number (NIN). Send your NIN via SMS to 55019 or 66019.
Step 2: Create JAMB Profile
Create a profile on the JAMB portal using your Profile Code.
Step 3: Make Payment
Pay the prescribed fees:
- NCE Application Fee: ₦3,500
- NCE Registration Charge: ₦700
- O'Level Verification Fee: ₦1,500 (one sitting) or ₦2,000 (two sittings)
Step 4: Visit Registration Centre
Proceed to any accredited:
- Institutional Professional Registration Centre (IPRC) in Colleges of Education
- Professional Registration Centre (PRC)
- JAMB CBT Centre
Step 5: Complete Registration
At the centre, candidates must:
- Select up to three Colleges of Education as choices
- Upload O'Level results and other documents
- Complete biometric data capture
- Print registration slip
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Major Policy Changes from 2026/2027
1. NCE Becomes Sole Entry Route
With effect from the 2026/2027 academic session, no candidate will be admitted directly into 100 or 200-level degree programmes in any College of Education. All entrants must now go through the NCE route.
2. End of Affiliated Degree Admissions
Admissions into affiliated degree programmes run by Colleges of Education have been discontinued from the 2026/2027 session. Previously, some candidates gained admission directly into affiliated degree programmes through 100-level or 200-level entry.
3. Mandatory O'Level Verification
JAMB has introduced compulsory O'Level result verification for all NCE applicants through examination bodies including WAEC, NECO, NABTEB and NBAIS. This measure is designed to eliminate fake or unverifiable results.
4. Admissions Through CAPS Only
All admissions will now be processed strictly through JAMB's Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS). Institutions will recommend qualified candidates, while JAMB will conduct final approval and oversight.
5. One Admission Route at a Time
Candidates can only be processed for one mode of entry at a time. Choosing the NCE route automatically suspends any ongoing UTME or Direct Entry application.
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What This Means for Candidates
For New NCE Applicants
- No UTME required — register directly through JAMB PRCs and IPRCs
- Minimum of four O'Level credits required
- Must complete O'Level verification before admission
For 2026 UTME Candidates Who Selected Colleges of Education
Candidates who sat for the 2026 UTME and selected Colleges of Education will automatically be migrated to their chosen first-choice College of Education for NCE admission. They only need to:
- Obtain O'Level verification codes
- Pay ₦700 registration fee
For Candidates Who Applied to Affiliated Degree Programmes
Affected candidates have several options:
| Option | Description |
|--------|-------------|
| Transfer to parent university | Move to the university that runs the affiliated programme |
| Change institution | Apply for a free change of institution |
| Switch to NCE | Migrate to the NCE programme of the institution |
| Second-choice institution | Elevate second choice to first choice |
> Note: Changes must be completed by June 22, 2026.
For Irregularly Admitted Candidates
JAMB has announced a condonement exercise for candidates who were admitted into Colleges of Education outside the JAMB framework during the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 academic sessions. Affected candidates can regularise their admissions through a simplified verification process.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Do I need to write UTME for NCE admission?
A: No. The Federal Government has waived the UTME requirement for candidates seeking admission into NCE programmes with a minimum of four credit passes.
Q: How much does NCE registration cost?
A: NCE registration costs ₦700 (registration charge) plus ₦3,500 (application fee). O'Level verification costs ₦1,500 for one sitting or ₦2,000 for two sittings.
Q: Where can I register?
A: Registration is available at Institutional Professional Registration Centres (IPRCs) in Colleges of Education, Professional Registration Centres (PRCs), and JAMB CBT centres nationwide.
Q: Can I register if I'm awaiting O'Level results?
A: No. Candidates with awaiting results will not be considered until their results are uploaded and verified.
Q: What happens if I already applied for UTME and chose a College of Education?
A: Your details will be automatically migrated to your chosen first-choice College of Education for NCE admission. You only need to obtain O'Level verification codes and pay ₦700.
Q: What if I applied for an affiliated degree programme in a College of Education?
A: You can transfer to the parent university, change institution, switch to NCE, or elevate your second-choice institution.
Q: What is the deadline for registration?
A: The registration deadline has not been officially announced. Candidates are advised to register as early as possible.
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Quick Action Checklist
- ✅ Visit any IPRC in a College of Education or JAMB PRC nationwide
- ✅ Generate Profile Code using your NIN
- ✅ Create a profile on the JAMB portal
- ✅ Pay ₦700 registration fee + ₦3,500 application fee
- ✅ Obtain O'Level verification code (₦1,500/₦2,000)
- ✅ Complete biometric data capture
- ✅ Upload O'Level results and documents
- ✅ Print your registration slip
- ✅ Monitor CAPS for admission updates
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> 📌 Editor's Note: This article is based on official announcements from JAMB and the Federal Ministry of Education as of July 2026. The UTME waiver policy was announced at the 2026 Policy Meeting on May 11, 2026, while registration guidelines were released in June 2026. Candidates are strongly advised to verify all details at accredited JAMB registration centres or the official JAMB website.