The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is planning a major expansion of its examination services with the establishment of a Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) centre in Canada from 2027.
The proposed centre, which is expected to be located in Ottawa, will provide Nigerians living in Canada with an opportunity to sit for the UTME without having to travel all the way back to Nigeria simply to take the examination.
The development is being viewed as an important step toward making the Nigerian tertiary education admission process more accessible to citizens living outside the country.
According to JAMB, the initiative is primarily aimed at improving access to the examination for Nigerians in the diaspora rather than generating additional revenue for the examination body.
JAMB Registrar, Professor Segun Aina, explained that the board has been exploring ways to make its services more accessible to Nigerians living abroad. The proposed Canadian centre is expected to serve candidates who would otherwise face considerable challenges travelling to Nigeria for the UTME.
The planned centre in Ottawa would also expand JAMB's existing international examination network. The board already conducts UTME examinations in several countries outside Nigeria, allowing Nigerians abroad to participate in the admission process without necessarily returning home.
The announcement could particularly benefit Nigerian families living in Canada whose children are interested in gaining admission into Nigerian universities, polytechnics and other tertiary institutions.
For many prospective candidates abroad, travelling to Nigeria solely for an examination can be expensive and stressful. Apart from the cost of flights, candidates may also have to deal with accommodation, transportation and other expenses associated with returning home.
With the proposed Canadian centre, those challenges could be significantly reduced.
Reports indicate that more than 100 candidates have already expressed interest in taking the UTME in Canada, suggesting that there is demand for the service among Nigerians living there.
However, candidates will still be expected to meet JAMB's requirements and follow the board's registration and examination procedures.
The development also highlights the increasing importance of Nigerians in the diaspora in the country's education system. Many Nigerian families abroad continue to maintain strong educational and cultural connections with Nigeria, while some young Nigerians living overseas still seek opportunities to study in Nigerian institutions.
For JAMB, expanding examination centres internationally could make the admission process more convenient for such candidates.
The planned Ottawa centre is therefore more than just another examination venue. It represents an attempt to bring Nigeria's admission system closer to citizens living outside the country.
If successfully implemented, the initiative could encourage more Nigerians abroad to consider Nigerian tertiary institutions while reducing the financial burden associated with travelling home for the UTME.
For prospective candidates in Canada, the key date to watch is 2027, when JAMB is expected to begin conducting UTME at the proposed Canadian location.
More details, including registration procedures, examination dates, venue arrangements and eligibility requirements, are expected to be provided by JAMB as preparations for the 2027 UTME progress.
For now, the announcement is being welcomed as a potentially significant development for Nigerians in Canada who want to participate in Nigeria's university admission process without making a special trip home for the examination.
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