The Federal Government has approved exemption of candidates seeking admission into the National Certificate in Education (NCE) programme with a minimum of four credits from sitting for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

The Minister of Education, Dr.

Tunji Alausa, announced the policy on Monday in Abuja, at the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions into Tertiary Institutions organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

The event also featured the 6th Edition of the National Tertiary Admissions Performance-Merit (NATAP-M) awards.

Alausa said the decision followed consultations with stakeholders aimed at expanding access to teacher education and strengthening enrollment in Colleges of Education (CoE) nationwide.

He explained that eligible candidates would, however, be required to register with JAMB for proper screening, verification and issuance of admission letters through the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS).

According to him, the exemption is part of deliberate reforms to harness the admission capacity of colleges of education, particularly within local communities.

“Accordingly, 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.

“However, it is imperative to emphasise that such candidates shall mandatorily register with JAMB, and their credentials shall be duly screened, verified, and certified for the issuance of admission letters thr“In recognition of this reality, the Federal Ministry of Education, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, has taken a deliberate policy position.

ough CAPS, in accordance with extant regulations.”

The minister added that the exemption would also apply to candidates seeking admission into National Diploma programmes in non-technology agricultural and agriculture-related courses.

He said the measure was designed to ease pressure associated with UTME, while encouraging participation in critical sectors essential to national development.

He reiterated that admissions conducted outside CAPS remained illegal and would not be recognised by the government.

He also warned that institutions violating established admission procedures risked sanctions, including suspension of operating licences where applicable.

Alausa reaffirmed the government’s position on 16 years as the minimum admission age into tertiary institutions, noting that the decision aimed at maintaining inclusivity and academic readiness.

He noted that the federal government was implementing wide-ranging reforms in the education sector focused on access, quality, governance and accountability.

He commended JAMB for deploying technology-driven solutions that enhanced fairness and credibility in the admissions process.

He added that efforts were ongoing to deepen inclusion for Persons living With Disabilities through application fee waivers and targeted support initiatives.

“This initiative is not only humane but also a powerful affirmation of our national commitment to equity and equal opportunity.

“The increasing participation of candidates with disabilities in our examinations and admissions processes is clear evidence that when barriers are removed, potential is unleashed,” Alausa said.

The minister further disclosed that the government was advancing digital transformation in education through expanded computer-based testing and integration of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies into curricula.

He said the federal government had equally achieved progress in stabilising the university system, following successful renegotiation of agreements aimed at ensuring uninterrupted academic calendars.

Alausa reaffirmed the government’s commitment to combating examination malpractice through strengthened verification systems and enhanced collaboration among relevant agencies.

He urged stakeholders to uphold integrity and fairness in admissions decisions, noting that outcomes of the policy meeting would affect millions of Nigerian youths seeking tertiary education opportunities.

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has intensified measures to protect the integrity of the 2026 Computer-Based WASSCE, as 1,959,636 candidates sit for the examination across Nigeria and neighbouring countries.

The Head of WAEC National Office, Amos Dangut, disclosed this during a news conference at the council’s national office in Yaba.

Dangut said that WAEC has strengthened its serialisation technology by ensuring candidates receive differently arranged questions, thereby reducing malpractice and preserving the integrity of examinations nationwide.

He said WAEC has equally strengthened its question serialisation system to ensure that candidates receive differently sequenced questions, reducing opportunities for collusion and malpractice.

He noted that the adoption of the computer-based examination has increased significantly this year, following its successful introduction in 2025 and strong support from the Federal Ministry of Education.

Dangut explained that several schools in neighbouring countries offering the WAEC syllabus also opted for the computer-based format, reflecting growing regional confidence in the system.

“This year, more schools have chosen the CB-WASSCE option due to its seamless nature, alignment with global best practices, and the success of last year’s edition,” he said.

The official noted that the examination, which began April 21 with practical papers, is scheduled to end June 19, adding, “It’s covering a period of eight weeks and three days”.

Dangut revealed that the 2026 entry figures include 958,564 male candidates and 1,001,072 female candidates, noting an increase in female participation when compared to previous years.

He also confirmed that about 29,000 senior secondary school teachers, nominated by various ministries of education, are serving as supervisors for the conduct of the examination nationwide.

“The council decisively addresses examination malpractice. Penalties will be meted out to erring candidates, supervisors, and schools, as approved by the Nigeria Examinations Committee,” he added.

On security, Dangut acknowledged ongoing challenges in some parts of the country but assured that the council is working closely with the Nigeria Police Force, state governments, and other security agencies to ensure smooth conduct.

He warned candidates, parents, and schools against engaging rogue websites and malpractice syndicates, stating that offenders would be tracked and prosecuted in collaboration with the law enforcement agencies.

According to Dangut, results will be released 45 days after the final paper, and certificates issued within 90 days, including access to digital certificates via its official platform.

The Federal Government has declared that any admission conducted outside the Central Admissions Processing System is illegal, warning tertiary institutions across the country that violations of approved admission procedures will attract sanctions.

The Minister of Education, Maruf Alausa, issued the warning on Monday at the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions to Tertiary Institutions held in Abuja, stressing that institutions operating parallel admission processes would no longer be recognised by the government.

He said the integrity of the admissions system remained central to restoring trust in Nigeria’s tertiary education framework, adding that the era of unregulated practices must end.

“Let me reiterate, without equivocation, that admissions conducted outside this framework are illegal and will not be recognised,” Alausa said.

He warned that institutions that continued to bypass the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s CAPS platform risked severe consequences.

“The era in which institutions operated parallel admission systems, often to the detriment of deserving candidates, must come to an end,” he added.

The minister further cautioned that the Federal Government would not tolerate any breach of admission regulations, noting that erring institutions would be held accountable.

“I have resisted many attempts at condoning illegality in the admissions process. I will not be a party to such actions.

“Any institution found to have conducted admissions outside the CAPS will be held accountable, and appropriate sanctions shall be applied without hesitation,” he stated.

According to him, heads of institutions in both public and private sectors must be aware that such breaches could attract serious penalties, including regulatory action.

“Heads of institutions, whether in the public or private sector, must recognise that such violations could result in severe consequences, including the suspension of operating licences or other regulatory actions, where applicable,” Alausa warned.

He emphasised that enforcement of the policy was not intended to be punitive but necessary to restore credibility and order in the system.

“Government will continue to enforce compliance with this policy, and appropriate sanctions will be applied where necessary. This is not a punitive measure; it is a necessary step towards restoring order and credibility in the system,” he said.

On admission age, the minister announced that the Federal Government had retained 16 years as the minimum age for entry into tertiary institutions.

“Following extensive consultations and policy reviews, the government has maintained sixteen (16) years as the minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions,” he said.

He explained that the decision reflected a balance between academic readiness and inclusivity, while noting that exceptional cases would be handled under strict guidelines.

“While we recognise the existence of exceptionally gifted individuals, such cases must be treated within clearly defined and rigorously enforced guidelines,” he added.

Alausa also commended JAMB for improving access for persons with disabilities, including waivers of application fees, describing the initiative as a step toward equity.

“This initiative is not only humane but also a powerful affirmation of our national commitment to equity and equal opportunity,” he said.

He further highlighted reforms in the education sector, including the implementation of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund to remove financial barriers to higher education.

“For decades, financial constraints have constituted a significant barrier for many capable young Nigerians,” he noted.

He said the interest-free loan scheme covering tuition and upkeep was a strategic investment in national development.

On transparency, he insisted that tertiary institutions must publish key operational data, including enrolment figures and financial allocations, to strengthen accountability.

Public universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education must operate with openness that reflects their public mandate,” he said.

Alausa also underscored the government’s push for digitalisation in education, including the adoption of computer-based testing and integration of emerging technologies in curricula.

He described the 2025 agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) as a turning point, aimed at improving welfare, funding, and institutional stability.

“The 2025 Agreement represents a decisive breakthrough in resolving a dispute that had persisted for many years,” he said.

He added that the reforms were designed to ensure uninterrupted academic calendars and restore confidence in public universities.

The minister also warned against examination malpractice, saying stricter verification systems were being introduced to protect the credibility of certificates.

“The credibility of our certificates depends on the integrity of the processes through which they are earned,” he said.

Alausa urged stakeholders to prioritise implementation over policy announcements, stressing that reforms would only succeed through execution.

“For too long, our sector has been characterised by well-articulated policies that fail to translate into tangible outcomes,” he said.

He called on participants at the policy meeting to uphold integrity, noting that the future of millions of Nigerian students depended on fair and efficient admissions processes.

“The decisions we take here will have far-reaching implications for millions of young Nigerians,” he said.

The minister reiterated the government’s commitment to building a tertiary education system that is inclusive, merit-driven, and globally competitive, before formally declaring the meeting open.