JAMB expansion of UTME centres to Canada

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced plans to establish a Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) centre in Ottawa, Canada. Scheduled to begin operations in 2027, the centre is intended to serve Nigerians residing in Canada and North America, thereby reducing the necessity for candidates to travel to Nigeria to sit for the exam.

The initiative follows a visit to the Nigerian High Commission in Ottawa by JAMB Registrar, Prof. Segun Aina. The board stated that the move aims to “reduce barriers for the diaspora and strengthen the connection between Nigerians abroad and the country’s education system.” JAMB currently conducts the UTME in several other international locations, including the United Kingdom, Ghana, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, and Côte d’Ivoire.

Prof. Aina clarified that the decision is intended to expand educational access rather than generate revenue, noting that the expansion serves the diaspora, including children of Nigerian public servants posted overseas. However, the announcement has faced criticism from observers who argue that the board should prioritize improving domestic infrastructure. Critics suggested that resources might be better spent addressing local challenges, such as overcrowded halls, lack of electricity, and technical server issues faced by millions of students within Nigeria.