The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is working towards establishing a Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) centre in Ottawa, Canada, expected to commence operations in 2027.
JAMB disclosed the plan in a statement published on its X account on Monday, following a visit by its Registrar, Prof. Segun Aina, to the Nigerian High Commission in Ottawa, where he discussed the plan.
The proposed centre will provide eligible Nigerians in Canada and other parts of North America with easier access to the UTME, especially for those with the desire to study in tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
According to JAMB, the proposed centre will make it easier for Nigerians in the diaspora to sit for the UTME without travelling to Nigeria solely for the examination.
The board said the initiative would strengthen the connection between Nigerians abroad and the Nigerian education system.
Explaining the purpose of the proposed centre, JAMB said it would make the examination more accessible to Nigerians across North America.
JAMB said the initiative would create greater opportunities to showcase Nigerian tertiary education internationally while opening more pathways for Nigerians in the diaspora to access tertiary education in Nigeria.
The proposed Ottawa centre comes as JAMB continues to expand access to the UTME and accommodate candidates beyond its traditional examination locations.
Nairametrics also reported in May 2025 that JAMB’s foreign examination was scheduled to take place in nine countries across Europe, the Middle East and parts of Africa.
