The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has formally ended admissions into affiliated degree programmes run by colleges of education in Nigeria, according to reports from June 2026. This decision marks a significant shift in the country's teacher education system, effectively making the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) the primary qualification for teachers from these institutions.
JAMB's policy change, announced in a statement, directs that colleges of education should no longer admit students into degree programmes affiliated with universities. Instead, they are to focus on the NCE programme, which is a three-year teacher training course. The board stated that this move aims to streamline teacher education and ensure quality control.
The decision has sparked reactions from stakeholders in the education sector. Some have expressed concerns about the impact on students already enrolled in these programmes, while others support the move as a way to strengthen the NCE and improve teaching standards. JAMB has assured that students currently in affiliated degree programmes will be allowed to complete their studies.
