University Admission Board Scraps Affiliated Degree Programmes in Colleges of Education
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially scrapped admissions into affiliated degree programmes run by Colleges of Education nationwide, marking a major policy shift in Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
The decision, contained in newly issued admission guidelines for the 2026/2027 academic session, means that Colleges of Education will no longer admit students into university degree programmes conducted in partnership with affiliated universities.
Under the new policy, JAMB declared that all admissions into Colleges of Education will now be strictly through the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE), effectively making it the sole entry route into the institutions.
The board also ruled out direct admission into 100- and 200-level degree programmes in Colleges of Education, stating that “no admission into any affiliated programme” will be allowed from the 2026/2027 session.
For decades, affiliated degree programmes enabled Colleges of Education to award university degrees through partnerships with conventional universities, providing an alternative pathway for students seeking bachelor’s degrees.
JAMB said the new directive would affect thousands of candidates who had applied for such programmes in the ongoing admission cycle. To manage the transition, the board outlined options for affected candidates, including transferring to the parent university offering the degree, changing institutions, or migrating to the NCE programme.
Candidates opting for the NCE route will be required to undergo O’Level verification and complete registration procedures as specified by the board.
The move aligns with broader education reforms by the Federal Government aimed at restructuring teacher education, eliminating duplication of roles, and strengthening academic standards across institutions.
JAMB has directed all Colleges of Education and admission stakeholders to comply strictly with the new guidelines as implementation begins for the 2026/2027 academic session.
