JAMB Registrar Explains Decision To Establish UTME Centre In Canada

The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Segun Aina, has explained why the board plans to establish a Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) centre in Canada.

Aina gave the explanation in a post on X, while responding to a user who questioned the proposed centre, arguing that some UTME centres in Nigeria were not being properly managed.

The JAMB registrar said the number of candidates was not the primary factor considered in establishing examination centres, noting that the UTME was already being conducted in several countries to improve access for prospective candidates.

“UTME is currently being written in about 10 countries as a service to enhance access to education,” he wrote.

“We also conduct the exams in correctional service centres for the same reason. So the number of candidates is not the main driving force.

“Despite multiple centres in Africa, there are no centres in the whole of North America. Specifically, there have been enquiries from potential candidates and we expect more following the announcement.”

According to Aina, the proposed Canadian centre would serve Nigerians who return to the country annually to pursue educational opportunities, as well as children of Nigerian service personnel serving outside the country.

“Who could possibly be interested? Any one of the 100s of people who move back yearly for one reason or the other including the children of many service personnel with tenured postings all around the world,” he said.

He also clarified that establishing the centre would not require JAMB to acquire or rent a permanent facility or recruit additional staff in Canada.

Aina explained that the board works with Nigerian diplomatic missions in countries where it conducts UTME and makes use of temporary facilities within their premises.

“We partner with the Nigerian High Commissions in various countries. We set up temporary spaces within their premises and use their staff to assist us run the exams,” Aina said.

“Has any money been spent on this so far? No! We were in Canada for a conference and decided to use the opportunity to make this arrangement.”

The registrar said he remained open to scrutiny over his administration of the board but called for fairness and objectivity in assessing public officials.

“As someone who chose to serve, I will continue to look forward to being held to account by all manner of people both polite and rude but we must be objective and fair to people in service, we must be patriotic and promote our country,” he said.

“I’m sure in the course of my stewardship, I will give you good reason to drag me and the management. Just not today – we did a good thing,” he added.