The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced plans to establish a Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) centre in Ottawa, Canada, to provide easier access to the examination for Nigerians living in Canada and other parts of North America. The centre, expected to begin operations in 2027, is part of JAMB's efforts to expand access to education. According to JAMB Registrar, Prof. Segun Aina, the move is not aimed at generating revenue but rather at providing a service to candidates.
The proposed centre in Ottawa will serve Nigerians who wish to sit the UTME for admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions. Aina explained that JAMB currently conducts the examination in about 10 foreign countries as a service to candidates, adding that the number of applicants is not the primary consideration for establishing such centres. He noted that the board had multiple examination centres across Africa, but none in North America before the planned Ottawa centre.
Aina received enquiries from prospective candidates and expected more interest following the announcement. He said Nigerians relocate abroad for various reasons each year, including the children of Nigerian public servants posted overseas. The registrar identified potential users of the centre as anyone who moves back yearly for one reason or the other, including the children of many service personnel with tenured postings all around the world.
Aina dismissed concerns that the board would need to acquire or rent a building and employ additional personnel to operate the centre. He explained that JAMB works with Nigerian diplomatic missions in countries where it conducts the UTME, using temporary spaces within high commission premises and the assistance of their staff. The arrangement was initiated during a visit to Canada for a conference, and no money has been spent on the proposed Canadian centre so far.
The examination will be conducted within the Nigerian High Commission's premises in Ottawa to keep costs low. Aina said the board'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. In a separate post, he argued that the absence of a centre in North America meant there could not previously have been candidates sitting the UTME there.
JAMB's spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, defended the decision, urging critics to seek clarification before questioning the board's plans. Benjamin said the board had received indications of interest from more than 100 candidates who wished to sit the examination in Canada. He added that the board would continue working to promote Nigerian universities by facilitating admissions for international students, despite criticism of its efforts.
The establishment of the UTME centre in Canada is part of JAMB's efforts to promote Nigerian universities and facilitate admissions for international students. According to Benjamin, over 100 candidates have already indicated their interest in sitting the exam in Canada. The board is working to provide eligible candidates with easier access to the examination, and the centre is expected to begin operations in 2027.
Key points
- JAMB establishes UTME centre in Canada to expand access to education for Nigerians in North America.
- The centre is expected to begin operations in 2027 and will serve Nigerians living in Canada and other parts of North America.
- The move is not aimed at generating revenue but rather at providing a service to candidates.
