JAMB: Ottawa UTME Centre Created to Expand Access, Not Generate Revenue

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has said its planned Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination centre in Ottawa, Canada, is aimed at expanding access to Nigerian tertiary education rather than generating revenue.

JAMB Registrar, Prof. Segun Aina, explained that the proposed centre would serve Nigerians living in Canada and other parts of North America who want to sit the UTME for admission into Nigerian universities and other tertiary institutions.

Aina gave the explanation in a series of posts on X on Tuesday following questions over the decision to establish the centre, which is expected to begin operations for the 2027 UTME.

He said JAMB already conducts the examination in about 10 countries outside Nigeria as part of efforts to make the admission process accessible to eligible candidates abroad.

“UTME is currently being written in about 10 countries as a service to enhance access to education,” Aina said, adding that JAMB also conducts examinations in correctional service centres for the same reason.

The registrar said the number of candidates was therefore not the main consideration in deciding where to establish foreign examination centres.

Aina noted that while JAMB has several examination centres across Africa, there had previously been no centre in North America. He said Nigerians who relocate abroad, including children of public servants posted overseas, could benefit from the planned facility.

The registrar also dismissed concerns that JAMB would need to acquire or rent a permanent building or employ additional staff to operate the Ottawa centre.

He explained that the board partners with Nigerian diplomatic missions in countries where it conducts the UTME, using temporary spaces within high commission premises and receiving assistance from diplomatic staff during examinations.

Aina said the proposed Canadian centre would operate under a similar arrangement and that no money had so far been spent on establishing it.

“Not a single kobo has gone into this exploration so far,” he said, explaining that he initiated discussions with the Nigerian mission during a visit to Canada for a conference.

JAMB’s spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, also defended the plan, saying the board had received indications of interest from more than 100 prospective candidates who wanted to sit the examination in Canada.

Benjamin urged Nigerians to seek clarification before criticising the initiative, stressing that JAMB was also working to promote Nigerian universities and facilitate admissions for eligible international students.

The planned Ottawa centre follows JAMB’s announcement that Nigerians living in Canada and other parts of North America would be able to sit the UTME there from 2027.

The board said the arrangement would give eligible candidates abroad easier access to the examination while using existing diplomatic infrastructure to keep operational costs low.