- The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is working towards establishing a Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) centre in Ottawa, Canada, with operations expected to commence in 2027.
The proposed centre will enable eligible Nigerians living in Canada and other parts of North America to sit for the UTME without travelling to Nigeria solely to take the examination.
JAMB disclosed the plan via its X handle, following a visit by its Registrar, Prof. Segun Aina, to the Nigerian High Commission in Ottawa, Canada, where the establishment of the proposed examination centre was discussed.
According to the examination body, the initiative is aimed at improving access to the UTME for Nigerians in the diaspora, particularly those seeking admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions.
JAMB said the proposed Ottawa centre would bring the UTME closer to Nigerians living in Canada and reduce the need for candidates to make international travel arrangements solely for the examination.
The board also described the initiative as part of its broader effort to take Nigerian tertiary education to the global community while strengthening the relationship between Nigerians abroad and the Nigerian education system.
Centre to Serve Nigerians Across North America
Although the proposed facility will be located in Ottawa, JAMB said its benefits are expected to extend beyond candidates resident in Canada to eligible Nigerians across North America.
The board said the centre would create greater opportunities for Nigerians in the diaspora who wish to pursue tertiary education in Nigeria. While also providing an avenue to showcase Nigerian tertiary education internationally.
The Ottawa centre would also add to JAMB’s existing arrangements for conducting the UTME outside Nigeria. The examination body already administers the test in selected foreign countries, including the United Kingdom, Ghana, South Africa, Saudi Arabia and Côte d’Ivoire.
The development comes as JAMB continues to administer the UTME for millions of candidates seeking admission into Nigerian universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.
More than two million candidates sat for the 2026 UTME, highlighting the scale of the examination and the importance of expanding access to eligible candidates.
However, JAMB has not yet released detailed operational information for the proposed Ottawa centre, including the specific examination venue, registration procedure, fees or timetable. The centre is expected to become operational from the 2027 UTME cycle.
By Musekir Faisat OmolaraÂ
