Breaking: JAMB Halts Entry Into Affiliated Degree Courses In Colleges Of Education Across Nigeria

The decision was outlined in the Board’s newly released NCE/ND Agric Registration Guidelines issued by the Office of the Registrar in June 2026.

According to JAMB, all admissions into such affiliated degree programmes in Colleges of Education will be discontinued from the 2026/2027 academic year.

The Board stated: “No admission into any affiliated programme in any College of Education from 2026/7 Session.”

It also barred direct entry into 100 and 200 levels in Colleges of Education, insisting that all fresh admissions must now be through the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) pathway.

“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 added.

The policy effectively ends the arrangement that allowed Colleges of Education to run bachelor’s degree programmes through affiliations with universities.

JAMB further explained that candidates who had applied for such programmes during the 2026 admission cycle would be provided alternative options.

These include transferring to the parent university offering the affiliated programme, changing institution at no cost, or upgrading their second-choice institution to first choice.

“A candidate may choose to be moved to the parent university to which the Degree programme is affiliated,” the Board said, noting that affected applicants have until June 22 to make necessary adjustments.

For UTME candidates, options also include switching institutions or opting for the NCE programme instead.

NCE applicants to undergo verification

JAMB stated that candidates choosing the NCE route must obtain an O’Level verification code from the relevant examination body and pay a ₦700 registration fee via its portal.

It explained that selecting the NCE option implies interest in pursuing the qualification, and such candidates may be automatically considered for admission into NCE programmes.

However, it warned that any UTME or Direct Entry admission process for such candidates would be suspended once they are recommended for the NCE route.

The Board also introduced compulsory O’Level verification for all NCE applicants, fixing the fee at ₦1,500 for one sitting and ₦2,000 for two sittings.

JAMB urged Colleges of Education, registration centres, CBT operators, and relevant officials to study the new guidelines and ensure full compliance.