JAMB plans to establish a UTME centre in Ottawa, Canada, from 2027 to give Nigerians in North America easier access to the examination.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) says it is working to establish a Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) centre in Ottawa, Canada, allowing eligible Nigerians in the country and other parts of North America to sit for the examination closer to home from 2027.
The board disclosed the plan following a visit by its Registrar, Prof. Segun Aina, to the Nigerian High Commission in Ottawa.
JAMB said the proposed centre would make it easier for Nigerians in the diaspora seeking admission into Nigerian universities and other tertiary institutions to participate in the UTME without travelling to Nigeria solely to take the examination.
JAMB plans Ottawa UTME centre
According to JAMB, the proposed centre is expected to commence operations in 2027 and will provide eligible Nigerians in Canada and other parts of North America with easier access to the UTME. The board said the initiative is particularly aimed at Nigerians abroad who intend to pursue tertiary education in Nigeria but face the additional cost and logistical challenge of travelling back to the country solely to sit for the entrance examination.
“The proposed centre will make it easier for Nigerians in the diaspora to sit for the UTME without travelling to Nigeria solely for the examination,” the board said.
JAMB described the initiative as part of its efforts towards “taking Nigerian tertiary education to the world”, saying the establishment of the Ottawa centre would bring the examination closer to Nigerians living in Canada while creating another access point for candidates seeking admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions.
More access for Nigerians in diaspora
The board said the Ottawa centre would also strengthen the connection between Nigerians living abroad and the Nigerian education system by giving them a more convenient route to participate in the admission process. JAMB said the initiative would provide “more access” and reduce barriers for Nigerians in Canada and across North America who want to pursue university and other tertiary education in Nigeria.
“For Nigerians in Canada, the UTME is coming closer to home,” JAMB said, describing the planned centre as “a bigger opportunity to strengthen the connection between Nigerians in the diaspora and Nigerian tertiary education.”
The board added that the initiative would create greater opportunities to showcase Nigerian tertiary education internationally, as Nigerians living outside the country would have easier access to the examination required for admission into participating Nigerian tertiary institutions.
Centre expected to open in 2027
JAMB said it was “working towards establishing a UTME examination centre in Ottawa, Canada, expected to commence operations in 2027”. The announcement, however, did not include details on the proposed centre’s exact location, examination capacity, registration process or the number of candidates it is expected to accommodate when operations begin.
The planned centre will expand JAMB’s examination reach beyond Nigeria and provide an additional option for eligible candidates in North America. For Nigerians in Canada who intend to gain admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions, the initiative is expected to remove the need to travel to Nigeria solely to sit for the UTME once the Ottawa centre becomes operational.
