Officials of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Kaduna State branch have opposed the Federal Government’s decision to exempt candidates seeking admission into Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) programmes from sitting for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examinations.

The Union said in a press statement, that the position was unanimously taken at the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the NUT in Abuja on May 14, 2026.

The NUT said the federal government’s decision would be “counterproductive” and undermine teacher education standards in Nigeria.

The NUT Kaduna Chairman, Ibrahim Dalhatu said, “the process of training teachers must remain vigorous and highly competitive”, while pointing out that “teaching is a highly intellectual and strategic profession.”

The Union argued that exempting Colleges of Education candidates from JAMB would reinforce the perception that teaching is a profession for academically weak candidates and a “last resort” career option.

It added that the move contradicts global best practices, where high-performing education systems recruit teachers from the best and brightest students.

According to the statement, the policy would also weaken ongoing reforms by the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria aimed at improving the profession’s status.

Instead of removing JAMB requirements, NUT Kaduna urged the Federal Government to improve teachers’ welfare, increase remuneration, and provide scholarships, bursaries, and special incentives for students studying education.

The union further noted that such measures would attract more qualified candidates without lowering standards.

The NUT also called for full implementation of the law signed by former President Muhammadu Buhari on April 9, 2022, which it said addresses the concerns the government seeks to resolve through the exemption.