JAMB scraps direct entry into 100-level, 200-level programmes in colleges of education

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced new admission guidelines for candidates seeking entry into Colleges of Education and agriculture-related National Diploma (ND) programmes, introducing significant changes that will take effect from the 2026/2027 academic session.

The directive was contained in an advisory issued by the Office of the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, and published in June 2026.

According to the new guidelines, admission into Colleges of Education will now be strictly through the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) route, ending the practice of direct admission into 100-level and 200-level programmes.

JAMB explained that the move is part of efforts to streamline admission processes and strengthen the teacher education system in the country.

The document sent to journalists by the Director of Communications, Fabian Benjamin, stated, “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.”

The board also stated that applicants would not be allowed to process multiple admission routes simultaneously.

“Candidates would be processed for only one mode of entry at a time.”

JAMB also announced that admissions into affiliated programmes in Colleges of Education will no longer be allowed from the 2026/2027 academic session.

“No admission into any affiliated programme in any College of Education from 2026/7 Session,” the document added.

The board explained that candidates applying through the NCE mode must undergo O’Level result verification through the relevant examination bodies, including WAEC, NECO, NABTEB and NBAIS, before completing registration.

According to the guidelines, candidates will pay N1,500 for verification of one sitting and N2,000 for verification of two sittings.

JAMB further stated that candidates must select only Colleges of Education as their first, second and third choices during registration under the NCE admission process.

The board disclosed that all 2026 UTME applicants who selected Colleges of Education would automatically be migrated to their chosen first-choice College of Education or agric-related non-technology ND programmes.

The guidelines also provide a pathway for candidates who were admitted into Colleges of Education in the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 academic sessions without proper JAMB processing.

Existing 2026 candidates affected by affiliated programmes were given options such as transfer to parent universities or a change of institution.

According to JAMB, such candidates will undergo a condonement process after obtaining O’Level verification codes and completing registration through approved centres.

For Direct Entry candidates who selected affiliated Colleges of Education for degree programmes in 2026, the board stated that they may either apply for a change of institution, transfer to the parent university of the affiliated programme, or retain another available option provided under the new policy.

JAMB added that affected UTME candidates seeking admission into affiliated Colleges of Education degree programmes may also change institutions, switch to second-choice institutions or migrate to NCE programmes.

The board said the new measures are aimed at ensuring proper admission processing, verification of qualifications and compliance with established admission procedures across Colleges of Education nationwide.

The guidelines were signed by the Registrar of JAMB, Professor Is-haq Oloyede.

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