Nigeria’s university affiliated degree arrangements in Colleges of Education have been permanently closed to new admissions, following a policy directive from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board that takes effect in the 2026/2027 academic session. The Board’s newly released NCE/ND Agric Registration Guidelines, issued from the Office of the Registrar in June 2026, establish the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) as the only recognised entry qualification into all Colleges of Education going forward.
The guidelines are unambiguous on the matter. “No admission into any affiliated programme in any College of Education from 2026/2027 Session,” the Board declared. Alongside this, JAMB ruled that admission directly into 100 or 200 level in any College of Education would no longer be processed. “With effect from 2026/2027 Session, no admission into 100 or 200 Level is allowed into any College of Education. All entrants are through NCE,” the document stated.
For decades, affiliated degree programmes had allowed Colleges of Education to partner with conventional universities, enabling students to earn bachelor’s degrees while studying within the college system. That arrangement has now been formally discontinued for all new intakes.
The Board has, however, outlined transition options for those already in the 2026 admission cycle. Direct Entry candidates who had selected affiliated Colleges of Education for degree programmes may transfer to the parent university to which their chosen programme is linked, request a change of institution, or allow their second choice institution to be elevated to first choice for admission processing. June 22 was set as the deadline for affected candidates to make their preferences known.
Those who applied for 100 level admission through the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination into affiliated Colleges of Education face a similar set of choices, including the option to migrate into the NCE programme of their institution. JAMB noted that candidates moving to the NCE route would pay a registration fee of ₦700 on its portal. “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,” the Board explained.
Mandatory O’Level result verification applies to all NCE applicants, with fees fixed at ₦1,500 for one sitting and ₦2,000 for two sittings. Candidates who had already registered through the 2026 UTME mode will have their details automatically migrated to their first choice College of Education.
JAMB urged all registration centres, accredited CBT centres and its officers across the country to adhere strictly to the new guidelines. “All PRCs, IPRCs and Officers of the Board are to study the guidelines and ensure strict compliance with the information contained therein,” the Registrar directed.
Last Updated on June 22, 2026 by Ola Funmilayo
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