~~Releases cut-off mark 2026 at 150 for admission
By Kamsi Anayo
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has announced that candidates seeking admission into Education programmes and non-engineering Agriculture courses will no longer be required to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The decision was disclosed on Monday via JAMB’s official X handle during the ongoing 2026 policy meeting on admissions, marking one of the most significant changes to Nigeria’s tertiary entry requirements in recent years.
Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education stated that candidates seeking admission into National Certificate in Education (NCE) programmes will no longer be required to sit for UTME, provided they meet minimum academic qualifications.
“Candidates seeking admission into the NCE programme, who possess a minimum of four credit passes, will no longer be required to sit for the UTME,” Alausa said.
He, however, stressed that all candidates must still register with JAMB, adding that academic credentials will undergo screening, verification, and certification through the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS).
The UTME exemption policy also extends to candidates seeking admission into National Diploma programmes in non-technology agricultural and agriculture-related disciplines.
According to him, the reform is designed to widen access to tertiary education while maintaining academic integrity and admission standards.
“This approach strikes a necessary balance between widening access and preserving the integrity of our admission system,” Alausa said.
Meanwhile, the body has also officially fixed at 150 for admission into Nigerian universities for the 2026/27 academic session, following a decisive vote by vice-chancellors and heads of tertiary institutions at the board’s annual policy meeting.
The announcement was made on Monday during the high-level meeting by JAMB where critical admission benchmarks were reviewed and agreed upon for the upcoming academic cycle.
