The Federal Government has announced that candidates seeking admission into Colleges of Education across Nigeria will no longer be required to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board.
The development is part of efforts aimed at encouraging more students to enrol in teacher education programmes and address the shortage of qualified teachers in the country.
Under the new arrangement, admission seekers into Colleges of Education are expected to apply through alternative admission processes approved by the government and relevant education authorities.
Education stakeholders say the policy could boost interest in the teaching profession, especially among students who previously found the UTME process challenging or expensive.
The Federal Government also reiterated its commitment to improving teacher training, enhancing the quality of education, and repositioning Colleges of Education to meet modern academic standards.
Further guidelines on the admission process are expected to be released by the Federal Ministry of Education and relevant regulatory agencies.