The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has explained why it plans to establish a Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) centre in Canada, saying the move is primarily about making education more accessible to Nigerians living abroad rather than generating revenue.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Segun Aina, said the proposed centre in Ottawa is intended to serve Nigerians living in Canada and other parts of North America who want to sit for the UTME and gain admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions.
Aina gave the explanation in a series of posts on X on Tuesday after questions were raised over the planned centre, which is expected to begin conducting the UTME from 2027.
According to the registrar, JAMB already conducts the examination in about 10 countries outside Nigeria as part of its efforts to make the examination accessible to eligible candidates. He stressed that the number of candidates in a particular country is not the main reason for establishing an overseas centre.
“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 wrote.
He noted that while JAMB operates examination centres in several African countries, there has not been a UTME centre in North America. He said the board had received enquiries from potential candidates and expects interest in the Canadian centre to increase following the announcement.
Explaining who the centre would serve, Aina pointed to Nigerians who relocate abroad for different reasons, including children of Nigerian public servants who are posted overseas for extended periods.
“Anyone of the 100s of people who move back yearly for one reason or the other, including the children of many service personnel with tenured postings all around the world,” he said.
The registrar also addressed concerns about the cost of establishing and running a permanent examination facility in Ottawa.
He explained that JAMB does not necessarily acquire or rent permanent buildings for its overseas examinations. Instead, the board partners with Nigerian diplomatic missions and uses temporary spaces within their premises, with assistance from embassy or high commission staff.
“We partner with the Nigerian High Commissions in the various countries. We set up temporary spaces within their premises and use their staff to assist us run the exams,” he said.
Aina further disclosed that JAMB had not spent any money on the proposed Canadian centre, explaining that the idea was explored during a visit to Canada for a conference.
“Not a single kobo has gone into this exploration so far — I was in Canada for a conference and used the opportunity to make the connection,” he wrote.
He added that JAMB would not maintain a permanent facility or computer-based test centre in Ottawa. Instead, the UTME is expected to take place within the Nigerian High Commission’s premises, a move he said would help keep the cost of the arrangement low.
The registrar maintained that JAMB’s overseas examination centres should not be judged primarily by their financial viability because their purpose is to improve access to Nigerian tertiary education for eligible candidates.
Responding to a question about whether there was sufficient demand for a UTME centre in North America, Aina argued that the absence of an existing centre had naturally meant there could not previously have been candidates sitting the examination there.
“There couldn’t have been any candidates in North America since we didn’t have any centres there, sir. You are making our point whilst seeming to argue against it,” he wrote.
JAMB spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, also defended the planned centre, urging Nigerians to seek clarification before criticising the board’s decision.
Benjamin said the board had already received indications of interest from more than 100 candidates who want to sit for the UTME in Canada.
“How will you feel if you know that over 100 candidates have already indicated their interest to sit the exam in Canada. Let us promote the nation please,” he wrote.
He added that JAMB would continue its efforts to promote Nigerian universities by making it easier for international students to gain admission into Nigerian institutions, despite the criticism surrounding the Canadian centre.
The planned Ottawa centre was earlier announced after Aina visited the Nigerian High Commission in Canada. JAMB said the facility would allow eligible Nigerians living in Canada and other parts of North America to sit for the UTME closer to where they reside, with the arrangement expected to begin from the 2027 examination.
