JAMB Explains Decision to Establish UTME Centre in Canada

The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Segun Aina, has explained the decision to establish a Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) centre in Canada, saying the initiative is aimed at expanding access to Nigerian tertiary education.

Aina said the proposed centre in Ottawa would enable Nigerians living in Canada and other parts of North America to sit the UTME without travelling to Nigeria solely to take the examination.

He explained the decision in a series of posts on Tuesday following questions about the planned centre, which is expected to begin operations for the 2027 UTME.

According to him, JAMB currently conducts the UTME in about 10 foreign countries as part of efforts to make the examination accessible to Nigerians living abroad.

He said the number of candidates in a particular country was not the primary consideration for establishing foreign examination centres.

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

The registrar noted that although JAMB had examination centres in several African countries, there had previously been no such centre in North America.

He said the board had received enquiries from Nigerians interested in sitting the examination in Canada and expected demand to increase following the announcement of the proposed centre.

Aina said the initiative would also cater to Nigerians who relocate abroad for various reasons, including children of Nigerian public servants on overseas postings.

He explained that JAMB would not need to acquire or rent a permanent facility or employ additional personnel specifically for the Canadian centre.

According to him, the board works with Nigerian diplomatic missions in countries where it conducts foreign examinations, using temporary spaces within high commission premises and assistance from diplomatic staff.

Aina said no money had so far been spent on establishing the proposed Ottawa centre, explaining that discussions began during his visit to Canada for a conference.

He added that the examination would be conducted within the Nigerian High Commission’s premises to keep operational costs low.

The registrar said JAMB’s foreign examination centres were not established primarily on the basis of financial viability, but to make access to Nigerian tertiary education easier for eligible candidates.

JAMB spokesperson Fabian Benjamin also said more than 100 candidates had already indicated interest in sitting the examination in Canada.

JAMB had earlier announced that the proposed Ottawa centre would allow eligible Nigerians in Canada and other parts of North America to sit the UTME from 2027 without travelling to Nigeria solely for the examination.