Jamb gives new rules for 2026 NCE Admission

Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has released new guidelines for admission into the National Certificate in Education (NCE) and Non-Technology National Diploma (ND Agric-related) programmes for the 2026/2027 academic session.

The Board said the new rules are meant to make the admission process clearer, improve verification, and ensure transparency in Colleges of Education across the country.

In a statement by the Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, JAMB said the reforms are part of efforts to strengthen the integrity of the tertiary admission system.

“The new framework is aimed at streamlining admissions, strengthening verification processes, and ensuring transparency across Colleges of Education nationwide,” the Board stated.

Under the new arrangement, all admissions into Colleges of Education will now go through the NCE route only. JAMB said the previous practice of admitting candidates into affiliated degree programmes through 100 or 200 level entry has been stopped.

Candidates who want admission into affiliated institutions must now follow the new procedures.

A key part of the guidelines is the compulsory verification of O’Level results. This applies to results from WAEC, NECO, NABTEB and NBAIS. Candidates must get verification codes before they can complete registration.

JAMB said this step is to reduce fake or unverified results.

“The verification process is designed to eliminate the submission of fake or unverifiable results and enhance the integrity of the admission system,” the Board said.

For registration, candidates must first generate a Profile Code using their National Identification Number (NIN), create a profile on the JAMB portal, make payment, and then proceed to accredited CBT centres, Professional Registration Centres (PRCs), or Institutional Professional Registration Centres (IPRCs) in Colleges of Education.

Applicants are also expected to choose institutions and programmes, upload their O’Level results, submit required documents, and complete biometric capture before printing their registration slips.

Admissions will be handled through the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS), where institutions will recommend candidates for approval. JAMB also warned that candidates with awaiting results will not be considered until their results are uploaded and verified.

The Board also announced a condonement exercise for candidates who were wrongly admitted into Colleges of Education during the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 academic sessions.

“Such candidates will be allowed to regularise their admissions through a simplified registration process and verification exercise,” the Board said.

It also gave transition options for candidates who applied to affiliated Colleges of Education for degree programmes in the 2026 admissioncycle.

Affected applicants may transfer to their parent universities, switch institutions, choose their second-choice schools, or return to NCE programmes based on preference.

JAMB said the reforms are aimed at improving fairness, accountability and efficiency, while expanding access to teacher education and agric-related training.

It urged Colleges of Education, registration centres and candidates to carefully follow the guidelines and ensure full compliance.

The full guidelines have been shared through the JAMB website, Colleges of Education, the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), accredited CBT centres, JAMB offices nationwide and other official channels.