Federal government cancels 2026 admissions to NTI NCE and degree programmes

The Federal Government has cancelled all admissions into the National Teachers’ Institute (NTI), Kaduna, for the National Certificate in Education (NCE) and degree programmes for the 2026 academic session. The decision follows regulatory breaches involving admissions, accreditation, and university affiliations.

The Federal Ministry of Education directed the institute to stop all university affiliations and degree-awarding arrangements. The ministry warned prospective students, parents, and the public against seeking admission into the affected programmes, stating that the institute was not authorised to award NCE and university degrees.

The directive applies to full-time, part-time, and Distance Learning Studies programmes. The action followed violations of the Ministerial Operational Guidelines issued on September 12, 2025. The ministry explained that NCE admissions must comply with JAMB requirements and accreditation standards set by the NCCE.

Regulatory Actions and Protected Students

The ministry directed the NUC to notify affected universities and ensure compliance with the order terminating the degree-awarding arrangements. The ministry announced that the NCCE would conduct full accreditation of existing NCE II to IV Distance Learning programmes and study centres across the six geopolitical zones to protect current students.

Eligible students will be allowed to finish their programmes, subject to accreditation outcomes and other regulatory requirements. The ministry clarified that the statutory mandate of the institute remains focused on teacher training, retraining, in-service development, and continuous professional development.

This mandate includes pedagogical capacity-building and a three-to-six-month Special Abridged Programme designed for serving teachers with non-Education degrees. This programme helps them gain the professional skills needed to register with the TRCN. The ministry urged the public to verify the accreditation and admission status of programmes through relevant regulatory authorities and official government channels before applying or paying fees.