The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) currently conducts the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in 10 cities across 10 countries, including the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia and South Africa….
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) currently conducts the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in 10 cities across 10 countries, including the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia and South Africa.
The existing overseas centres according to a report in Punch are located in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire; Accra, Ghana; Banjul, The Gambia; Buea, Cameroon; Cotonou, Benin Republic; Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Johannesburg, South Africa; London, United Kingdom; Malabo, Equatorial Guinea; and Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
According to the JAMB Bulletin of May 18, 2026 seen by Punch, Nigerian embassies, high commissions and consulates in the respective countries provide guidance to Nigerians on registration and examination procedures.
The Board charged foreign candidates $30, or its equivalent in local currency, for registration for the examination.
Despite its presence across the 10 foreign locations, only 379 candidates registered for the 2026 UTME at the centres.
The examinations were conducted in May, although candidates in Jeddah and Buea took the examination on later dates due to unforeseen circumstances.
JAMB’s plan to introduce another overseas centre in Ottawa, Canada, for the 2027 UTME has, however, triggered debate over the cost and necessity of expanding the examination outside Nigeria.
JAMB Registrar, Professor Segun Aina, defended the plan, saying the proposed Canadian centre was intended to improve access for Nigerians living in Canada and other parts of North America, rather than generate revenue for the Board.
Aina said JAMB already conducts the UTME in about 10 foreign countries as a service to Nigerians living abroad.
He said the Board was exploring the Ottawa centre in response to demand from Nigerians in Canada and would work with the Nigerian High Commission instead of establishing a permanent facility.
The planned expansion means Nigerians in Canada could join candidates in the existing overseas locations when the 2027 UTME exercise begins.
