FG waives UTME for COE admissions, requires only 4 SSCE credits via JAMB
FG scraps UTME requirement for Nigerian Colleges of Education admissions, effective immediately. Minister Tunji Alausa announced at Monday's annual admissions policy meeting that candidates now need only four credits in SSCE to gain entry into COEs nationwide. However, all applicants must still register through JAMB to process their admissions.
This change affects hundreds of thousands of prospective students who previously faced the UTME as a major hurdle to teacher education. By eliminating this barrier, the policy aims to increase enrollment in COEs and address Nigeria's teacher shortage. Candidates with O'Level results showing at least four credits (including English and Mathematics) can now apply directly through JAMB's portal.
The policy takes effect for the 2026 admissions cycle. Applicants should visit jamb.gov.ng to create profiles and upload SSCE results. While UTME is waived for COEs, it remains mandatory for universities, polytechnics, and other tertiary institutions. Will this change encourage you to pursue teacher education, or do you still have concerns about COE program quality?