In a bold policy shift set to reshape Nigeria’s tertiary admission landscape, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that candidates applying for Education programmes and Agriculture-related non-engineering courses will no longer be required to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The decision was disclosed on Monday via the board’s official X platform during its ongoing annual policy meeting on admissions — a key gathering where critical guidelines, including cut-off marks and entry procedures, are determined for universities, polytechnics and colleges of education nationwide.
Describing the move as a strategic intervention, JAMB stated, “Candidates seeking admissions into Education Programmes and Agriculture non-Engineering Courses are now exempted from UTME.”
The announcement marks one of the most sweeping reforms in recent years, significantly altering a system where the UTME has long served as the primary gateway into higher education. While exemptions have previously existed for Direct Entry candidates and select special categories, this latest directive opens the door
for a broader range of applicants to access tertiary education through alternative pathways.Under the new arrangement, affected candidates are expected to gain admission through institutional screening processes and other approved qualifications, rather than the traditional nationwide examination.
Education and Agriculture courses have historically recorded lower application pressure compared to competitive fields such as Medicine, Law and Engineering. Observers say the new policy could revitalise interest in these critical sectors, particularly as Nigeria seeks to strengthen its educational workforce and boost agricultural development.
The reform is also likely to ease the burden on prospective students, many of whom face intense competition and financial strain associated with repeated UTME attempts.
As deliberations continue at the policy meeting, attention now turns to the official announcement of the 2026 UTME cut-off marks — another key decision that will further define the admission cycle.
For many candidates, however, the latest development already signals a new era — one where access to higher education may become more flexible, inclusive and aligned with national priorities.
