The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) says its planned Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) centre in Ottawa, Canada, is aimed at improving access to Nigerian tertiary education, not generating revenue.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Segun Aina, says the centre will serve Nigerians living in Canada and other parts of North America who wish to sit the UTME for admission into Nigerian universities and other tertiary institutions.
Aina explains the decision in a series of posts on X following questions about the planned centre, which is expected to begin operations for next year’s UTME.
He says JAMB currently conducts the examination in about 10 foreign countries as part of efforts to make education more accessible.
“UTME is currently being written in about 10 countries as a service to enhance access to education,” Aina writes.
He adds that the number of candidates is not the main consideration when establishing overseas examination centres.
According to him, JAMB has several centres across Africa but has not previously operated one in North America.
Aina says the centre will cater for Nigerians who relocate abroad, including children of Nigerian public servants posted overseas.
“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 says.
Aina says JAMB will not need to acquire or rent a permanent building or employ additional staff to operate the Ottawa centre.
He explains that the board works with Nigerian diplomatic missions in countries where it conducts the UTME, using temporary spaces within high commission premises.
“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 says.
The registrar also says no money has been spent on establishing the Canadian centre.
“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 writes.
He says the examination will be conducted at the Nigerian High Commission in Ottawa to keep operating costs low.
JAMB spokesperson Fabian Benjamin also defends the planned centre, saying more than 100 candidates have already indicated interest in sitting 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,” Benjamin writes.
The board says the Ottawa centre will make it easier for eligible Nigerians in Canada and other parts of North America to access the UTME and seek admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions.
Aina says JAMB’s foreign centres are established primarily to improve access to education rather than based on financial viability.
