A new admission directive affecting Education and Agricultural-related courses in Nigeria has been announced, indicating that candidates applying for selected programmes will no longer be required to sit for the JAMB Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
Under the revised policy, admission into the affected programmes will be based on institutional registration, screening of academic credentials, and O’Level subject requirements. The development significantly alters the traditional entry pathway into teacher education and agricultural disciplines across tertiary institutions.
Affected Education Courses (UTME No Longer Required)
The policy applies broadly to Education and teacher-training programmes, which now fall under screening-based admission. The affected courses include:
Adult Education
Business Education
Early Childhood Education
Education and Biology
Education and Chemistry
Education and Economics
Education and English
Education and Geography
Education and Government
Education and History
Education and Islamic Studies
Education and Mathematics
Education and Physics
Education and Political Science
Education and Social Studies
Educational Management
Guidance and Counselling
Health Education
Human Kinetics
Primary Education Studies
Special Education
Technical Education
These programmes are primarily designed for teacher training, educational administration, and human development, and are now expected to be processed through direct institutional screening rather than UTME ranking.
Affected Agricultural Courses (Non-Engineering Agricultural Programmes)
The same policy also affects non-engineering Agricultural programmes, especially those focused on farming systems, animal production, and environmental management. The affected courses include:
Agriculture
Agricultural Economics
Agricultural Extension
Animal Science
Crop Science
Fisheries
Forestry
Soil Science
Agronomy
Horticulture
Plant Science
Animal Production
Fisheries and Aquaculture
Forestry and Wildlife Management
These programmes are central to food production, rural development, environmental sustainability, and agricultural extension services.
Implications for Candidates
Candidates seeking admission into the listed Education and Agricultural courses are now expected to focus on O’Level requirements and institutional screening processes rather than UTME performance.
However, institutions are expected to maintain specific departmental requirements, and applicants are strongly advised to confirm details from their chosen schools.
Education stakeholders suggest the policy may expand access to critical human capital development fields while reducing pressure on UTME-dependent admission pathways.
Further official clarification is expected from regulatory authorities and individual institutions as implementation unfolds across the 2026/2027 admission cycle.
