NUT Opposes Federal Government Waiver of UTME for Colleges of Education Admission
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has strongly opposed the recent decision by the Federal Ministry of Education to exempt prospective college applicants from taking the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) administered by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
In a press statement issued by Com. Umaru Musa Kuta, the State Secretary of Niger State, the union finalized its stance during its Emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja on May 14, 2026. The members reviewed the policy’s implications and unanimously agreed that the decision is unacceptable and harmful to the progress of the teaching profession in Nigeria.
The Union criticized the policy as ill-advised and counterproductive, warning that it could further weaken educators’ standards, credibility, and professional dignity nationwide.
According to the NUT, lowering admission standards for colleges of education sends a concerning message that teaching is less valuable than other professions, which could hinder efforts to elevate the sector toward excellence and national development.
The union also expressed concern that key education stakeholders, particularly the Nigeria Union of Teachers, were excluded from consultations before the policy’s implementation.
Emphasizing the need for inclusive decision-making, the NUT stated that any reforms affecting teacher training and professional standards must involve broad stakeholder engagement to ensure credibility, acceptance, and sustainable progress.
Furthermore, the Union warned that relaxing entry requirements for teacher-training institutions could negatively affect the quality of education and the quality of teachers in Nigerian schools, ultimately undermining the country’s educational standards.
In light of these concerns, the Nigeria Union of Teachers urges the Federal Ministry of Education and JAMB to promptly review and revoke the policy to protect the integrity, dignity, and future of the teaching profession in Nigeria.
The Union reaffirmed its commitment to advocating sound educational policies, improving teacher training programs, and restoring the teaching profession’s reputation as a vital contributor to sustainable national development.
