JAMB Plans First UTME Centre in Canada From 2027

 

Nigerians living in Canada and other parts of North America may soon have an easier way to sit for Nigeria's Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced plans to establish a UTME examination centre in Ottawa, Canada, beginning in 2027.

The proposed centre is expected to allow eligible Nigerians in Canada and other parts of North America to take the examination without travelling to Nigeria specifically for the UTME.

Why JAMB Is Establishing the Centre

JAMB said the proposed Ottawa centre is intended to make the examination more accessible to Nigerians living in the diaspora.

Currently, Nigerians living abroad who need to sit for UTME may face significant travel and accommodation costs if they have to return to Nigeria for the examination.

Establishing a centre in Canada could therefore remove some of these difficulties.

Ottawa Selected for the Initiative

The proposed centre will be located in Ottawa, Canada's capital.

JAMB disclosed the plan following a visit by its Registrar, Professor Segun Aina, to the Nigerian High Commission in Ottawa.

The board described the initiative as part of its broader effort to take Nigerian tertiary education and its admission processes to Nigerians around the world.

Who Could Benefit?

The centre would primarily benefit Nigerians living in Canada who intend to gain admission into Nigerian universities, polytechnics and other tertiary institutions through UTME.

It could also be useful to eligible Nigerians living elsewhere in North America, depending on the final arrangements made by JAMB.

Reports indicate that more than 100 Nigerians in Canada have already expressed interest in taking the examination there.

UTME Goes Beyond Nigeria

The planned Canadian centre represents another step in JAMB's efforts to accommodate Nigerians living outside the country.

For many families in the diaspora, returning to Nigeria simply to take an examination can be expensive and inconvenient.

A properly equipped international examination centre could make the process more accessible while allowing Nigerian citizens abroad to remain connected to Nigeria's education system.

What Applicants Should Know

The centre is currently described as a plan for 2027, rather than an examination centre already operating for the 2026 UTME.

Therefore, prospective candidates should wait for JAMB's official announcements concerning registration procedures, eligibility, examination dates, fees and the final operational arrangements.

The announcement is nevertheless an important development for Nigerians in Canada who are considering Nigerian tertiary institutions.

If implemented successfully, the Ottawa centre could also encourage other international examination locations in the future.

For now, attention will be on JAMB's preparations and the official details that will determine how the new centre will operate from 2027.