The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced plans to establish a Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) centre in Ottawa, Canada, allowing eligible Nigerians in Canada and other parts of North America to sit for the examination without travelling to Nigeria.
JAMB disclosed the development following a visit by its Registrar, Prof. Segun Aina, to the Nigerian High Commission in Ottawa, where the proposed examination centre was discussed. The board said the facility is expected to commence operations in 2027.
According to JAMB, the initiative is designed to improve access to the UTME for Nigerians in the diaspora, particularly those seeking admission into Nigerian universities and other tertiary institutions.
“The proposed centre will make it easier for eligible Nigerians in Canada and across North America to sit for the UTME without travelling to Nigeria solely for the examination,” the board said.
JAMB said the move would also strengthen the relationship between Nigerians living abroad and Nigeria’s tertiary education system. The board described the initiative as part of its broader effort to make Nigerian tertiary education more accessible internationally.
The development is significant for Nigerian students and families in Canada because candidates seeking admission into Nigerian institutions will have a local examination option, potentially reducing the cost and logistical difficulties associated with travelling to Nigeria solely to take the UTME.
The Ottawa centre would also expand JAMB’s existing international examination network. The board already conducts UTME examinations in several foreign locations, including the United Kingdom, Ghana, South Africa, Saudi Arabia and Côte d’Ivoire.
JAMB’s decision comes as the examination body continues to introduce reforms aimed at modernising Nigeria’s admissions and assessment system. The board is also planning changes to the UTME from 2027, including the proposed introduction of critical-thinking and life-skills components.
The planned Ottawa centre is therefore expected to provide another pathway for Nigerians abroad who wish to remain connected to Nigeria’s tertiary education system while pursuing admission opportunities at home.
