The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has explained its decision to establish a Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination centre in Canada, saying the initiative is primarily aimed at expanding access to Nigerian tertiary education rather than generating revenue.
JAMB Registrar, Professor Segun Aina, said the proposed centre in Ottawa would enable Nigerians living in Canada and other parts of North America to sit for the UTME without travelling to Nigeria solely to write the examination. The centre is expected to begin operations from the 2027 UTME.
Aina explained that JAMB already conducts the UTME in about 10 countries outside Nigeria as part of its effort to make the examination accessible to Nigerians living abroad. He stressed that the number of candidates in a particular country was not the major consideration in deciding where to establish examination centres.
According to him, Nigerians relocate abroad every year for different reasons, while children of Nigerian public servants posted overseas may also need to sit for the examination to pursue admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions.
The registrar noted that although JAMB has examination arrangements in several foreign countries, there had previously been no UTME centre in North America.
Aina also addressed concerns about the cost of establishing a centre in Canada. He said JAMB works with Nigerian diplomatic missions in countries where it conducts foreign examinations, using temporary spaces within Nigerian High Commission premises and assistance from diplomatic staff.
He further disclosed that no money had been spent on the proposed Canadian centre so far, explaining that discussions about the arrangement began during his visit to Canada for a conference.
The proposed Ottawa centre is therefore expected to operate without JAMB establishing a permanent standalone facility, helping to keep the cost of the initiative low.
JAMB has described the development as part of its broader effort to make Nigerian tertiary education more accessible to citizens in the diaspora and strengthen their connection with the Nigerian education system.
With the centre expected to commence in 2027, eligible Nigerians in Canada and other parts of North America will have the opportunity to take the UTME closer to where they live, without the additional burden and expense of travelling to Nigeria simply to sit for the examination.
#JAMB #UTME #Education #Nigeria #Canada #NigeriansInDiaspora #EducationNews
