The Federal Government has said its decision to exempt candidates seeking admission into Colleges of Education and non-technology agricultural programmes in polytechnics and monotechnics from the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) will significantly increase access to tertiary education across the country.

Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, disclosed this on Tuesday while speaking on Politics Today.

According to the minister, the policy is expected to raise tertiary institution admissions to about 1.5 million students this year, nearly double the figure recorded two years ago.

“With the changes we are making through eliminating UTME requirements for Colleges of Education and non-technology agricultural courses in polytechnics and monotechnics, we expect admissions into tertiary institutions to increase to about 1.5 million,” Alausa said.

“That is literally doubling the figure from two years ago. This has created wider opportunities for young Nigerians.”

The minister explained that the exemption policy forms part of the Federal Government’s broader strategy to strengthen food security by encouraging more students to pursue agriculture-related courses.

“The exemptions are for candidates seeking admission into Colleges of Education and those enrolling in non-technology agricultural programmes in monotechnics and polytechnics. We need this to support food security in the country,” he stated.

Alausa also revealed that the Ministry of Education is undertaking a comprehensive review and modernisation of agricultural curricula across universities, polytechnics and Colleges of Education.

He said the review is designed to align agricultural education with modern practices and emerging innovations, including greenhouse farming and other contemporary agricultural techniques.

“Hopefully, by the end of this year, we will have a brand-new agricultural curriculum that meets modern-day standards,” he added.

The minister had earlier announced the policy during the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board 2026 policy meeting held in Abuja on Monday.

Under the new guidelines, candidates seeking admission into Colleges of Education and non-technology agricultural programmes will only be required to possess a minimum of four O’Level credits.

However, the policy has attracted criticism from stakeholders in the education sector, including the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT).

NUT President, Titus Amba, warned that the removal of UTME requirements for Colleges of Education could undermine the quality of teacher training if not properly implemented.

Speaking at the 21st Century Teachers Workshop organised in collaboration with the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria in Abuja, Amba said the policy could send the wrong signal about the seriousness attached to the teaching profession.

“When admission into Colleges of Education is granted without standard entry evaluation, the public may begin to question the credibility of teachers being produced,” he said.

Amba stressed that teaching should remain a professional career requiring rigorous training and proper screening, warning against policies that may weaken confidence in teacher education institutions.

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