The Federal Government’s recent decision to exempt candidates seeking admission into Colleges of Education and Agriculture from writing the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) has continued to spark heated debate across Nigeria’s education sector.
The policy, announced during the annual tertiary admission policy meeting by Minister of Education Tunji Alausa, was introduced after consultations with education stakeholders and relevant agencies.
According to the minister, students seeking admission into Colleges of Education and some agriculture-related National Diploma programmes will no longer need to sit for UTME before gaining admission.
However, he clarified that all applicants must still register with JAMB for documentation, screening, and admission processing through the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS).
Alausa explained that the move is aimed at increasing access to higher education, encouraging more students to study teaching and agriculture, and improving admission processes across tertiary institutions.
He stressed that institutions must still follow official admission procedures, warning that schools admitting students outside the approved system could face serious sanctions, including suspension of operating licences.
The announcement has since generated mixed reactions among education experts, unions, and Nigerians.
While some people praised the policy as a way to increase student enrolment and reduce the pressure associated with UTME, others strongly criticised it, arguing that it could lower academic standards and weaken the quality of teacher training in the country.
The National President of the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), Dr Lawan Bazza, openly opposed the decision, insisting that the union was not consulted before the policy was introduced.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, Bazza warned that reforms affecting teacher education should involve critical stakeholders to avoid damaging the future of Nigeria’s education system.
According to him, although improving enrolment into Colleges of Education is important, lowering admission standards could negatively affect the quality of teachers produced in the future.
He also criticised what he described as a “top-to-bottom” approach by the government, saying policies should involve proper consultation and engagement with stakeholders.
The Nigeria Union of Teachers also raised concerns over the policy.
NUT President Titus Amba argued that removing UTME requirements for Colleges of Education could send the wrong message about the seriousness of the teaching profession.
He warned that if not properly managed, the policy might weaken teacher training standards and reduce public confidence in the profession.
Amba explained that teaching should not be treated as an easy option or temporary job, stressing that professional teachers require proper screening, structured training, and strong academic preparation.
He further lamented the decline of teacher-training institutions and said many people now enter teaching without adequate professional background because of unemployment.
The union leader called on the government to focus more on improving teachers’ welfare, training infrastructure, and digital learning facilities rather than lowering entry requirements.
Despite the criticism, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education, Dr Angela Ajala, defended the reform and insisted that the policy was being misunderstood.
According to her, the new “Dual Mandate” system is designed to strengthen Colleges of Education by creating a smoother pathway for students to move from the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) programme into degree studies.
She explained that under the proposed five-year structure, students would first complete a three-year NCE programme before proceeding to a two-year degree programme.
Ajala maintained that the reform does not reduce the importance of the NCE qualification but instead strengthens teacher education and creates better career progression for student-teachers.
She added that the policy could make Colleges of Education more attractive, improve teacher preparation, and produce better-qualified teachers for Nigeria’s schools.
Education expert Dele Olaniyi also supported parts of the reform, saying the five-year structure could improve professional development for future teachers.
However, he disagreed with the UTME exemption itself, arguing that it might make NCE students appear academically inferior compared to university students who passed through the standard UTME process.
Meanwhile, 2027 presidential hopeful Adewole Adebayo criticised the policy, describing it as a dangerous reduction of educational standards.
According to him, weakening the education system could create more unemployment, insecurity, and social problems in the future, warning that Nigeria risks abandoning talented young people who could become innovators and professionals.