Nigerians have expressed mixed reactions following a new admission policy affecting Colleges of Education (COEs).
Under the policy, candidates seeking admission into COEs for education and agriculture non-engineering programmes will no longer be required to write the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The decision forms part of broader reforms to tertiary admission guidelines introduced by JAMB.
It has since sparked nationwide debate, with some describing it as a necessary reform, while others warn it could weaken academic standards in key professional fields.
What they are saying
Nairametrics reviewed reactions on social media to gauge public sentiment on the policy. Here are some of such reactions.
Former senator Shehu Sani described the Federal Government’s decision to exempt students seeking admission into Colleges of Education for education and agriculture non-engineering programmes from UTME as a rightful and commendable move.
According to him, the policy would strengthen the teaching profession, improve the quality of Nigeria’s educational system, and encourage more young people to embrace modern agriculture.
“Exempting Students seeking to study Education and Agriculture from taking the UTME is a rightful and commendable decision.
“It will boost the teaching profession, improve the quality of our educational system and encourage young people into Modern agriculture,” his tweet read.
Alex Onyia (@winexviv)
Alex Onyia, CEO of Educare, strongly opposed the policy, describing it as a wrong and terrible move that should be reversed immediately.
He warned that removing UTME requirements for prospective education students could lower academic standards and result in poorly qualified teachers entering the profession. Onyia argued instead that stricter admission standards should be introduced, suggesting that only candidates who score above 250 in UTME should be eligible for education programmes.
“This is a very wrong and terrible move. It should be reversed immediately. If this is not reversed, we will have the worst set of teachers teaching our children. Rather it should be that students who score below 250 in UTME should not be admitted to Education Programs,” Onyia wrote on X.
Àgbà John Doe (@jon_d_doe)
X user, Àgbà John Doe, criticised the exemption, questioning why prospective teachers should be excluded from writing UTME. He argued that instead of removing the exam requirement, authorities should raise admission cut-off marks to improve standards. According to him, the policy could encourage laziness and further weaken the education system.
“I don’t understand why candidates who are hoping to educate young people should not write UTME? Instead of you to increase the cut off mark for admission, you’re encouraging laziness and ruining our already poor educational system,” his tweet read.
Ifedayo (JIMCRUZ) (@ifedayo_johnson)
Ifedayo Johnson also opposed the decision, arguing that education programmes should have higher admission standards due to the key role of teachers.
He called for rigorous screening of prospective teachers, warning that lowering entry requirements could undermine the quality of teacher training.
“Education programs should as a matter of fact require higher standards to enter. Do you people realize these are people that will become teachers and train the next generation?”
Mr Jonjor (@MJonjor)
An X user, Mr Jonjor, said the decision could have unintended consequences on the perception of education and agriculture programmes. He argued that exempting candidates from UTME might reduce interest in the courses by making them appear less valued than others. According to him, the policy could also create the impression that academic standards in both fields are being lowered.
“This decision may discourage interest in Education and Agriculture courses, because it could make them appear less valued compared to other programmes. Instead of strengthening these fields, it risks giving the impression that their standards are being lowered.”
Raybanjs ADESONA (@RaybanjsADESONA)
An X user, Raybanjs Adesona, criticised the policy, arguing that it could weaken the foundation of the education system.
He said it is not possible to build a first-world economy with what he described as third-class entry requirements for teachers, adding that the exemption risks portraying education as a pity course. According to him, the decision sets a dangerous precedent for academic standards in the country.
“You can’t build a 1st-world economy with a 3rd-class entry requirement for teachers. We are essentially saying education is a ‘pity’ course. This is a dangerous precedent.”
Senator (@Mainasarahamza)
An X user, Mainasarahamza,criticised the policy, saying it could undermine academic standards rather than improve access.
He questioned whether exempting candidates from UTME for education and agriculture non-engineering programmes amounted to abandoning standards just to fill seats, arguing it could make the disciplines appear less rigorous. According to him, the move risks weakening training quality in both sectors from the foundation level.
“So we’re officially abandoning standards just to fill seats? By exempting these courses, you’re basically shouting that Education and Agriculture are ‘lesser’ disciplines that don’t require rigorous testing. This is how you kill the quality of a sector before it even starts.”
Adeniyi Yemisi (@yemadeniyi)
Adeniyi Yemisi said the policy reflects the urgent need for more professionals in teaching and agriculture. She expressed hope that the exemption would attract more passionate and qualified individuals into both sectors, suggesting that the move could help address workforce shortages in areas critical to national development.
“This shows how badly we need teachers and people in agriculture. Hopefully, this move attracts more passionate and qualified people into those sectors.”
Lucidking (@Lucidfx27)
Lucidking welcomed the decision, describing it as a relief for students who see UTME as a barrier to studying education and agriculture-related courses.
He said the exemption would reduce the financial burden, stress, and pressure of JAMB exams, while expanding access for genuinely interested candidates.
“This is actually a big relief for a lot of students. UTME has been one of the biggest barriers for people who genuinely want to study Education or Agriculture. At least now, more people can pursue those courses without the extra pressure, stress, and cost attached to JAMB exams. Good step honestly.”
Andii (@Andiyanga)
An X user, Andii, described the policy as a potentially welcome development but raised concerns about possible implementation loopholes.
He questioned whether students admitted into education and agriculture non-engineering programmes could later transfer to other departments in their second year, warning that this could undermine the policy’s intent if not properly regulated.
“This maybe a welcome development but how about transferring to any department of their choice in their second year. That’s a loophole right there.”
What You Should Know
Candidates seeking admission into Colleges of Education (COEs) for education and agriculture non-engineering programmes have been exempted from writing the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The announcement was made by JAMB spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, via an X post on Monday, following resolutions at the 2026 JAMB Policy Meeting.
The policy is aimed at widening access to teacher training and agriculture-related programmes, and will take effect from the 2027 admission cycle.
However, the exemption applies only to COEs, as universities and polytechnics offering similar courses will still require UTME.
At the same meeting, JAMB also set minimum admission scores for the 2026 exercise: 150 for universities and Colleges of Nursing Sciences, and 100 for polytechnics, while the minimum admission age remains 16 years.
Credit: Nairametrics
WARNING: If You Are Not 18+, Don’t Click The Link Below 👇🫣
https://wrathful-piano.com/zBn8jS
Did you want to monetize your website, join MONETAG or ADSKEEPER and start earning
Please don’t forget to “Allow the notification” so you will be the first to get our gist when we publish it.
Drop your comment in the section below, and don’t forget to share the post.
Never Miss A Single News Or Gist, Kindly Join Us On WhatsApp Channel:
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vad8g81Eawdsio6INn3B
Telegram Channel:
https://t.me/gistsmateNG
