The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has introduced new admission guidelines for candidates seeking admission into National Certificate in Education (NCE) and Non-Technology National Diploma (ND Agric-related) programmes for the 2026/2027 academic session.
The new policy is aimed at making the admission process more transparent, eliminating irregular admissions, and strengthening the verification of candidates’ credentials.
What Has Changed?
1. No More Direct Admission into Degree Programmes Through Colleges of Education
One of the most significant changes is that admissions into Colleges of Education will now be processed strictly through the NCE route.
Previously, some candidates gained admission directly into affiliated degree programmes through 100-level or 200-level entry. Under the new arrangement, that pathway has been discontinued.
Candidates who wish to obtain a degree through an affiliated institution must first comply with the new procedures established by JAMB.
2. Mandatory Verification of O’Level Results
JAMB has made O’Level result verification compulsory.
Candidates must verify their results through approved examination bodies such as:
West African Examinations Council
National Examinations Council
National Business and Technical Examinations Board
National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies
Applicants will be required to obtain verification codes before completing their registration.
This measure is intended to curb the use of fake, altered, or unverifiable results.
3. New Registration Process
Candidates are expected to:
Generate a Profile Code using their National Identification Number (NIN).
Create a profile on the JAMB portal.
Pay the prescribed fees.
Register at accredited CBT centres, Professional Registration Centres (PRCs), or Institutional Professional Registration Centres (IPRCs).
Select their preferred institution and programme.
Upload their O’Level results and other required documents.
Complete biometric verification.
Print their registration slip.
4. Admissions Will Be Processed Through CAPS
All admissions will be handled through JAMB’s Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS).
Institutions will recommend qualified candidates, while JAMB will conduct final approval and oversight.
This is expected to reduce irregular admissions and improve accountability.
5. Awaiting Result Candidates Must Upload Results Before Admission
Candidates using “awaiting result” status can still apply, but they will not be considered for admission until their results are released, uploaded, and successfully verified.
6. Relief for Candidates with Irregular Admissions
JAMB has announced a special regularisation exercise for candidates who were admitted irregularly into Colleges of Education during the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 academic sessions.
Affected students will have the opportunity to regularise their admissions through a simplified verification process.
7. Options for Candidates Affected by the New Policy
Candidates who applied for degree programmes through affiliated Colleges of Education in the 2026 admission cycle have several options:
Transfer to the parent university.
Change to another institution.
Choose their second-choice institution.
Switch to an NCE programme.
What Does This Mean for Students?
The new guidelines mean that admission into Colleges of Education will now be more structured and closely monitored. Candidates must ensure that their O’Level results are genuine and verified, follow the approved registration process, and regularly monitor their admission status through CAPS.
For prospective students, the key takeaway is simple: ensure your credentials are verified, complete your registration correctly, and follow all JAMB procedures to avoid admission complications. The reforms are designed to improve fairness, reduce admission fraud, and strengthen confidence in Nigeria’s tertiary education admission system.
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