"In a major policy overhaul for the 2026/2027 academic session, JAMB has officially discontinued admissions into all affiliated degree programmes run through Colleges of Education."
🚨 JAMB Terminates Affiliated Degree Programmes in Colleges of Education — NCE Now Sole Entry Route
> ✅ VERIFIED REPORT: Cross-referenced with official JAMB guidelines and verified news reports as of September 3, 2026.
Published: September 3, 2026 | Source: CampusAI News
📌 Overview
In a major policy restructuring affecting teacher education in Nigeria, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially abolished admissions into affiliated degree programmes run by Colleges of Education nationwide. This regulatory overhaul takes effect from the 2026/2027 academic session and marks a definitive end to the longstanding arrangement that allowed Colleges of Education to offer university degrees through partnerships with conventional universities.
The decision is contained in the Board's newly released NCE/ND Agric Registration Guidelines, issued by the Office of the Registrar in June 2026. Under the new policy, the Board declared that "no admission into any affiliated programme in any College of Education from 2026/7 Session". JAMB also ruled out direct admission into 100 and 200 levels in Colleges of Education, insisting that all fresh entrants must now come through the NCE programme.
> 🔴 URGENT: This policy affects thousands of candidates who have already applied for degree programmes through affiliated Colleges of Education in the 2026 admission exercise. Affected candidates have been provided with alternatives, including changing institution at no cost or migrating to the NCE programme.
📊 Key Details at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
| :--- | :--- |
| Policy | Termination of admissions into affiliated degree programmes in Colleges of Education |
| Effective From | 2026/2027 Academic Session |
| What's Scrapped | Admissions into affiliated degree programmes in Colleges of Education |
| What's Banned | Direct admission into 100 and 200 levels in Colleges of Education |
| New Entry Route | All entrants must now come through the NCE programme |
| Policy Source | JAMB's newly released NCE/ND Agric Registration Guidelines (June 2026) |
| Signed By | Outgoing JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede |
🎯 Who Is Affected
- ✅ Candidates who applied for degree programmes through affiliated Colleges of Education for the 2026 admission cycle
- ✅ Direct Entry candidates who selected affiliated Colleges of Education
- ✅ UTME candidates who applied for 100-level admission into affiliated Colleges of Education
- ✅ All prospective students seeking admission into Colleges of Education from 2026/2027 onwards
> 📌
Key Insight: This policy effectively marks the end of the affiliated degree system that had, for decades, enabled Colleges of Education to offer university degree programmes through partnerships with conventional universities.
🔴 What the New Policy Means
No More Affiliated Degree Admissions
> ⚠️ "No admission into any affiliated programme in any College of Education from 2026/7 Session".
No Direct Entry into 100 or 200 Level
> ⚠️ "With effect from 2026/7 Session, no admission into 100 or 200 Level is allowed into any College of Education. All entrants are through NCE".
NCE is Now the Sole Entry Route
All fresh entrants into Colleges of Education must now come through the NCE programme. The reform is expected to reshape teacher education admissions in Nigeria by strengthening the NCE as the primary entry qualification, while leveraging the dual mandate policy to provide a seamless progression route from NCE to degree-level teacher education programmes.
Mandatory O'Level Verification
A key feature of the new admission regime is the mandatory verification of O'Level results through examination bodies, including WAEC, NECO, NABTEB and NBAIS, before candidates can complete their registration.
📝 Options for Affected Candidates
JAMB has provided several alternatives for candidates who have already applied for degree programmes through affiliated Colleges of Education.
For Direct Entry Candidates
| Option | Description |
| :--- | :--- |
| Change Institution at No Cost | Apply for a change of institution free of charge |
| Transfer to Parent University | Be moved to the parent university to which the degree programme is affiliated |
| Elevate Second Choice | Allow your second-choice institution to become your first choice for admission processing |
> 📌 Note: Candidates wishing to switch institutions were given until June 22 to complete the process.
For UTME Candidates (100-Level)
| Option | Description |
| :--- | :--- |
| Change Institution | Change to a different institution |
| Elevate Second Choice | Make your second-choice institution your first choice |
| Migrate to NCE Programme | Move to the NCE programme of the same college |
For Candidates Choosing the NCE Route
Candidates who opt for the NCE route will:
- Be required to obtain an O'Level verification code from the relevant examination body
- Pay only ₦700 as a registration fee on the JAMB portal
- Have any ongoing UTME or Direct Entry admission process suspended
> 📌
"The candidate may be moved to the NCE programme of the institution, on the understanding that the choice of the College of Education indicates an interest in pursuing the NCE qualification".
Fee Breakdown for NCE Applicants
| Fee Type | Amount |
| :--- | :--- |
| O'Level Verification (One Sitting) | ₦1,500 |
| O'Level Verification (Two Sittings) | ₦2,000 |
| Registration Fee (NCE) | ₦700 |
| Application Fee (NCE) | ₦3,500 (waived for candidates migrating from 2026 UTME) |
Automatic Migration for 2026 UTME Candidates
For candidates who applied through the 2026 UTME and selected Colleges of Education as their first choice, JAMB said their details would automatically be migrated to the NCE admission platform.
🏛️ Context & Background
The Dual Mandate Policy
The development came amid the ongoing implementation of the Federal Government's Dual Mandate Policy for Colleges of Education, which empowers qualified colleges to award both the NCE and bachelor's degrees independently. Education stakeholders believe the new JAMB directive is intended to align admissions processes with the dual mandate framework by reinforcing the NCE as the foundational qualification for teacher education, while creating a structured pathway for graduates to subsequently proceed to degree programmes.
UTME Exemption for NCE Applicants
Recall that at this year's Admission Policy Meeting in May, the Federal Government announced the exemption of candidates seeking admission into Colleges of Education from writing the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed that candidates with four credit passes in relevant subjects are allowed to apply to the Colleges of Education without sitting for the UTME.
End of an Era
The policy effectively marks the end of the affiliated degree system that had, for decades, enabled Colleges of Education to offer university degree programmes through partnerships with conventional universities. Under the old system, students studied at the colleges but graduated with degrees awarded by the partner universities. The new directive brings that pathway to an end for new applicants.
📌 Quick Action Checklist for Affected Candidates
- [ ] Log into your JAMB CAPS profile to review your current institution and course choices
- [ ] If you selected an affiliated College of Education, choose one of the available options:
- [ ] Change institution at no cost (deadline was June 22 — check if still possible)
- [ ] Transfer to the parent university
- [ ] Elevate your second-choice institution to first choice
- [ ] Migrate to the NCE programme of the college
- [ ] If opting for NCE, obtain your O'Level verification code (₦1,500/₦2,000)
- [ ] Pay the ₦700 registration fee on the JAMB portal
- [ ] Confirm your O'Level results are correctly linked to your profile
- [ ] Monitor your admission status through JAMB CAPS
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What has JAMB scrapped?
A: JAMB has scrapped admissions into affiliated degree programmes run by Colleges of Education from the 2026/2027 academic session.
Q: Can I still gain admission into 100 or 200 level in a College of Education?
A: No. JAMB has ruled out direct admission into 100 and 200 levels in Colleges of Education. All fresh entrants must now come through the NCE programme.
Q: What are my options if I already applied for an affiliated degree programme?
A: You may: (1) change institution at no cost, (2) transfer to the parent university, (3) elevate your second-choice institution to first choice, or (4) migrate to the NCE programme.
Q: How much does it cost to apply for NCE under the new policy?
A: The registration fee is ₦700, plus O'Level verification fees of ₦1,500 (one sitting) or ₦2,000 (two sittings).
Q: What happens to my UTME application if I choose the NCE route?
A: Any ongoing UTME or Direct Entry admission process will be suspended.
Q: Will my details be automatically migrated if I applied through UTME?
A: Yes. Candidates who applied through the 2026 UTME and selected Colleges of Education as their first choice will have their details automatically migrated to the NCE admission platform.
Q: Why did JAMB make this change?
A: To align admissions processes with the Federal Government's Dual Mandate Policy, strengthening the NCE as the foundational qualification for teacher education.
Q: Is UTME still required for NCE admission?
A: No. The Federal Government has exempted candidates seeking admission into Colleges of Education from writing the UTME.
📚 Related Articles
🛠️ Useful Tools
| Tool | Description | Link |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| ✅ JAMB e-Facility | Check admission status and make changes | Visit → |
| ✅ JAMB CAPS | Monitor your admission status | Visit → |
| ✅ JAMB Syllabus Finder | Find course requirements and syllabi | Visit → |
| ✅ Admission Probability Checker | Calculate your admission chances | Visit → |
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> 📌 Editor's Note: This article is compiled from verified official sources including JAMB guidelines and multiple verified news reports. JAMB has officially terminated admissions into affiliated degree programmes run by Colleges of Education from the 2026/2027 academic session. The policy also rules out direct admission into 100 and 200 levels in Colleges of Education, making NCE the sole entry route. Affected candidates have been provided with options including change of institution, transfer to parent university, or migration to NCE programmes. CampusAI.ng is not affiliated with JAMB — we provide verified information to help students navigate their admission journey. Always verify critical updates on official platforms.