–But must apply through JAMB

By Son Tertsea, Abuja
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Seekers of admission into Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) programmes in Colleges of Education will no longer be required to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
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‎This policy was announced Monday by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, during JAMB’s 2026 policy meeting in Abuja.
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‎Consequently, prospective students will only need a minimum of four O-level credits in school certificate to qualify for admission.
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‎The policy reversal, ccording to the minister, is designed to ease the administrative burden on the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB)

“There is compelling evidence, including empirical data from the JAMB, that Colleges of Education possess significant capacity to admit willing candidates, particularly from their immediate localities. This is attributable to a range of factors, including proximity, cultural alignment, affordability, and community-based demand for teacher education”.

“Harnessing this latent capacity is critical, not only for expanding access but also for addressing the persistent challenge of out-of-school adolescents and fostering, from an early stage, a positive orientation towards the teaching profession”.

“In recognition of this reality, the Federal Ministry of Education, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, has taken a deliberate policy position. Accordingly, candidates seeking admission into the NCE programme, who possess a minimum of four (4) credit passes, will no longer be required to sit for the UTME”.

“However, it is imperative to emphasise that such candidates shall mandatorily register with JAMB, and their credentials shall be duly screened, verified, and certified for the issuance of admission letters through CAPS, in accordance with extant regulations”.

By Son Tertsea, Abuja

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) is to intervene in 271 institutions across Nigeria by establishing 411 projects that would enhance teaching, learning, research and innovation within the next four months.

Revealing this development Thursday in Abuja was the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, while speaking with journalists shortly after the inauguration of chairmen and members of boards of agencies under the Federal Ministry of Education, as well as principal officers of newly established institutions and reappointed chief executives.

He pointed out that the projects which would spread across universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education were to cover critical areas in public tertiary institutions, adding that the projects would be commissioned between June and September this year. The projects include lecture theatres, hostels, laboratories, libraries, research centres, academic office complexes, innovation hubs, and other educational infrastructure funded through various TETFund intervention lines.

Echono said that the Fund has established new offices in Kaduna, Bauchi, Port Harcourt which were ready to be commissioned adding that preparations are underway for a nationwide commissioning exercise. He stated that it will involve top government officials and stakeholders in the education sector.

According to him, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Minister of Education Tunji Alausa, and other prominent dignitaries are expected to take part in the inauguration of the iconic projects spread across the country.

“Again, it’s a season for us. We are now approaching the season for harvest. Mr. President’s efforts over the last two to three years are beginning to bear a lot of fruits and commissioning of projects will commence in June. We are going to start first from home. TETFund has developed new regional offices in Kaduna, Bauchi, Port Harcourt, and these three are ready for commissioning. And thereafter, we’ll progress to our institutions. 411 projects are due for commissioning between June and September, and we are going to spread them out, because there are so many we are involving.

‘There are some very iconic ones we are going to leave for Mr. President. We sought leave of him so that as he goes around, also visiting these states, he will commission some of our iconic projects. The Honorable Minister has accepted to commission some of the major ones too, and will share others with other principal officers in our government”, he said.

By Wumi Tewogbade, Abuja

The Mandate Secretary of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Education Secretariat, Danlami Hayyo, has appealed to the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) FCT Wing, to suspend its ongoing industrial action.

He warned that the strike is “psychologically demoralizing” for students scheduled to begin their West African Examinations Council (WAEC) papers tomorrow.

Speaking during a school inspection on Monday, Hayyo expressed deep concern over reports that union members were forcibly removing students and teachers from classrooms.

“I was initially impressed by the high turnout of both students and teachers ready for learning.

“However, the NUT has chased pupils out of some schools. I do not believe it is constitutionally right for a union to forcefully eject students who are eager to learn”, he noted.

Considering the timing of the strike is critical, with WAEC examinations set to commence nationwide, Hayyo questioned the union’s commitment to the welfare of their own children.

He said:”How can you expect your sons and daughters to write their exams tomorrow when you are chasing them out of school today?

:You are demoralizing them; psychologically, this could lead to mass failure. WAEC will not reschedule its calendar specifically for FCT students. Do you want them to miss this opportunity entirely?”

Defending the current administration’s record, Hayyo highlighted that the FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, has prioritized educational infrastructure, with over 100 schools currently undergoing or having completed massive renovations.

He further clarified the financial standing of the government regarding union demands.

Stressing theat the Minister paid 40% of teacher entitlements last year., the Secretary emphasized that many of the outstanding grievances involve the Local Education Authority (LEA) and the Area Council Chairmen, rather than the central FCT Administration.

Hayyo urged the union to return to the bargaining table rather than “destabilizing” the entire FCT education system over local council disputes.

“I am tired of this cycle of strikes. For effective learning and quality education, industrial action is not the best path. If we continue to discourage these children now, they may retaliate when they become the leaders of tomorrow.

“We are working to reduce the number of out-of-school children, but this strike is pushing us backward”, he stated.

The Education Secretariat concluded by calling on the NUT to set aside “selfish interests” and prioritize the future of the students by allowing teaching and learning to resume immediately.