UTME in Canada: JAMB Registrar gives reason for new centre

The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, Professor Segun Aina, has explained why the board plans to establish a Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, centre in Canada.

Aina said the decision was mainly to make it easier for Nigerians living in Canada and other parts of North America to take the examination.

He explained that the proposed centre in Ottawa would serve Nigerians who want to write the UTME and gain admission into Nigerian universities and other tertiary institutions.

The JAMB registrar made this known in a post on X on Tuesday.

His explanation followed public questions over the decision to establish the centre, which is expected to begin operations from the 2027 UTME.

Aina said the move was not primarily about making money or the number of candidates expected to register for the examination.

According to him, JAMB currently conducts the UTME in about 10 countries as part of efforts to improve access to education.

He also noted that the board conducts examinations in correctional service centres for the same reason.

“UTME is currently being written in about 10 countries as a service to enhance access to education. We also conduct the exams in correctional service centres for the same reason. So the number of candidates is not the main driving force,” Aina said.

JAMB had on Monday announced plans to establish a UTME centre in Ottawa, Canada, from 2027.

The board said the centre would provide an opportunity for Nigerians in Canada and other parts of North America to sit for the examination without having to travel to Nigeria.