FG Cancels NTI Admissions for 2026, Warns Applicants Against Payments

• The FG cancels NTI admissions into NCE and degree programmes for 2026 over regulatory breaches, warning applicants against accepting offers or making payments.

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

The Federal Ministry of Education also ordered the Kaduna-based institute to discontinue its university affiliations and degree-awarding arrangements.

The directive was announced in a statement issued on Saturday by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade.

“Consequently, all admissions into NTI’s NCE and degree programmes for the 2026 academic session have been cancelled, while the Institute has been directed to discontinue all university affiliations and degree-awarding arrangements, as it is not authorised to award NCE and university degrees,” the statement said.

Applicants warned against accepting offers or paying fees

The ministry urged prospective students, parents and the public to avoid applying for the affected programmes, accepting admission offers or making payments.

It said the suspension covered all modes of study, including full-time, part-time and Distance Learning Studies.

“The ministry emphasises that no further admissions into the affected programmes, whether full-time, part-time or through Distance Learning Studies (DLS), are permitted,” it stated.

According to the ministry, the decision followed violations of the Ministerial Operational Guidelines issued on September 12, 2025.

It explained that admissions into NCE programmes must meet the requirements of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), alongside accreditation standards set by the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE).

The ministry also directed the National Universities Commission (NUC) to notify the affected universities and ensure compliance with the order ending NTI’s degree-awarding arrangements.

Existing students to undergo accreditation review

The government said measures would be taken to protect students already enrolled in existing programmes, particularly those in NCE II–IV Distance Learning Studies.

Under the directive, the NCCE will assess the affected programmes and study centres across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. The outcome will determine which students are eligible to complete their studies.

“To protect innocent students already enrolled, the NCCE will conduct comprehensive accreditation of existing NCE II–IV Distance Learning programmes and study centres across the six geopolitical zones.

“Eligible students may complete their programmes, subject to accreditation outcomes and regulatory requirements,” the ministry said.

The provision means that continuation for existing students will depend on the accreditation findings and compliance with regulatory requirements.

Ministry outlines NTI’s responsibilities

The ministry said NTI’s statutory responsibilities remained focused on teacher training, retraining, in-service development and continuous professional development.

It added that the institute was expected to provide pedagogical capacity-building for teachers.

These responsibilities include a three-to-six-month Special Abridged Programme for serving teachers who hold degrees in subjects outside Education. The programme is intended to equip them with the professional competencies required for registration with the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria.

The ministry said its intervention was aimed at protecting students, maintaining academic standards and preventing prospective applicants from enrolling in unapproved programmes.

It urged the public to confirm the accreditation and admission status of academic programmes through the relevant regulatory authorities and official government channels before enrolling or making payments.