The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is working to establish a Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) centre in Ottawa, Canada. The centre, expected to commence operations in 2027, will allow eligible Nigerians in Canada and North America to sit for the UTME without traveling to Nigeria. This initiative aims to provide more access and reduce barriers for Nigerians in the diaspora seeking admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions.
The announcement was made after a visit by JAMB Registrar, Segun Aina, to the Nigerian High Commission in Ottawa. The proposed centre was discussed during the visit, which represents a bigger opportunity to strengthen the connection between Nigerians in the diaspora and Nigerian tertiary education. The centre will make it easier for eligible Nigerians to sit for the UTME, promoting a stronger relationship between Nigerians abroad and the Nigerian education system.
The UTME is a crucial examination for candidates seeking admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions. To gain admission, candidates must take the UTME and participate in the admission process at their chosen institutions. The examination attracts millions of candidates every year, with over two million candidates sitting for the UTME this year. JAMB already conducts the UTME in designated centres outside Nigeria, including the UK, Ghana, and South Africa.
The establishment of the UTME centre in Canada is part of JAMB's efforts to expand its reach and provide more access to Nigerian education. The centre will join existing centres in countries such as the United Kingdom, Ghana, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, and Côte d’Ivoire. This expansion will enable more Nigerians in the diaspora to participate in the UTME and pursue higher education in Nigeria.
For the 2026/2027 admission cycle, JAMB and other stakeholders approved 150 as the minimum benchmark for admission into universities. Polytechnics, monotechnics, colleges of education, and colleges of agriculture have a minimum benchmark of 100. These benchmarks will guide the admission process for candidates who sit for the UTME, including those who take the examination at the proposed centre in Canada.
The proposed UTME centre in Canada is expected to strengthen the connection between Nigerians in the diaspora and Nigerian tertiary education. It will provide an opportunity for Nigerians in North America to access Nigerian education, promoting a stronger relationship between the diaspora community and the Nigerian education system. The centre will also make it easier for eligible candidates to sit for the UTME.
The establishment of the UTME centre in Canada is a significant development for Nigerians in the diaspora. It demonstrates JAMB's commitment to providing more access and reducing barriers for candidates seeking admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions. With the centre expected to commence operations in 2027, eligible Nigerians in Canada and North America can look forward to a more convenient and accessible way to pursue higher education in Nigeria.
Key points
- JAMB plans to establish a UTME centre in Ottawa, Canada, for Nigerians in North America, starting 2027.
- The centre aims to provide more access and reduce barriers for Nigerians in the diaspora seeking admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions.
- The UTME centre in Canada will join existing centres in countries such as the UK, Ghana, and South Africa.
