Akahi News learnt that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced a major change to Nigeria’s teacher education system by ending admissions into university degree programmes run through affiliated Colleges of Education from the 2026/2027 academic session.
Akahi News gathered that the new directive means Colleges of Education will no longer admit fresh candidates directly into degree programmes conducted under partnerships with universities. Instead, new entrants will begin through the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) pathway.
Akahi News learnt from Punch report that JAMB also ruled out fresh admissions directly into 100 or 200 level in Colleges of Education, signalling a significant restructuring of how teacher-training institutions operate across the country.
What Exactly Has Changed
The latest policy appears to align with ongoing reforms in the education sector aimed at giving qualified Colleges of Education the authority to award their own degrees rather than relying on university affiliations. Recent announcements by the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) indicate that accredited colleges can now run independent degree programmes under the Federal Colleges of Education Act and the Dual Mandate Policy.
Under the revised arrangement:
- Admissions into affiliated university degree programmes in Colleges of Education will cease from the 2026/2027 session.
- Direct entry into 100 and 200 levels within Colleges of Education will no longer be permitted.
- The NCE becomes the foundational route for new entrants into the Colleges of Education system.
- Qualified colleges are expected to transition toward independently awarding degrees under the new regulatory framework.
Five Things Every Student And Parent Should Know
1. Affiliated degree admissions are ending
Students can no longer seek fresh admission into university-affiliated degree programmes through Colleges of Education from 2026/2027.
2. NCE becomes the main entry route
New candidates entering Colleges of Education will begin through the NCE programme.
3. Existing students are not automatically affected
The policy mainly targets future admissions, although transition arrangements may apply in some cases.
4. Colleges are gaining greater autonomy
The reform is designed to allow qualified colleges to award degrees independently.
5. The government is restructuring teacher education
Officials argue that the changes are intended to strengthen teacher training and create clearer institutional roles.
Questions And Answers: Breaking Down The Policy
Who is affected by this policy?
a. Prospective students seeking admission into Colleges of Education.
b. Candidates who intended to enrol through affiliated degree programmes.
c. Colleges of Education and their university partners.
What exactly is the policy?
a. Termination of admissions into affiliated degree programmes.
b. End of direct admission into 100 and 200 levels in Colleges of Education.
c. Adoption of the NCE pathway as the entry route.
When will it take effect?
a. Beginning from the 2026/2027 academic session.
b. Applicable to future admissions.
Where will the policy apply?
a. Federal Colleges of Education.
b. State Colleges of Education where applicable.
c. Institutions operating degree programmes through university affiliations.
Why was the policy introduced?
a. To strengthen teacher education.
b. To support institutional autonomy for Colleges of Education.
c. To simplify regulatory oversight of degree programmes.
d. To align with recent education sector reforms.
How will implementation work?
a. New admissions into affiliated degree programmes will stop.
b. Students will enter through NCE programmes.
c. Qualified colleges may subsequently offer degree pathways under the Dual Mandate framework.
Reflective Questions Worth Sitting With
a. Will this reform make teaching more attractive to young Nigerians or discourage some applicants?
b. Are Colleges of Education sufficiently prepared to manage independent degree programmes at scale?
c. Could the policy improve the quality of teacher training, or will it create new administrative challenges during the transition?
Akahi News Recommends
a. Students should carefully verify admission requirements before selecting institutions for the 2026/2027 session.
b. Colleges of Education should intensify public awareness campaigns to prevent confusion among applicants.
c. Regulatory agencies should provide clear transition guidelines for affected candidates.
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d. Parents and students should monitor official JAMB and NCCE communications rather than relying on social media speculation.