The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has explained its decision to establish a Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination centre in Canada, saying the move is aimed at expanding access to Nigerian tertiary education rather than generating revenue.

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JAMB Registrar, Prof. Segun Aina, said the proposed centre in Ottawa would serve Nigerians living in Canada and other parts of North America who wish to sit the UTME for admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions.

Aina gave the explanation in a series of posts on X on Tuesday, following questions over the planned centre, which is expected to begin operations for the 2027 UTME.

He said JAMB currently conducts the examination in about 10 foreign countries as part of efforts to make the examination accessible to eligible candidates abroad.

“UTME is currently being written in about 10 countries as a service to enhance access to education. We also conduct the exams in correctional service centres for the same reason. So the number of candidates is not the main driving force,” Aina wrote.

The registrar noted that although JAMB has examination centres in several African countries, there was previously no centre in North America.

He said the board had received enquiries from prospective candidates in the region and expected interest to increase following the announcement of the Ottawa centre.

Explaining who would use the centre, Aina said Nigerians relocate abroad every year for different reasons, including children of public servants posted overseas.

“Anyone 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.

Aina also dismissed concerns that JAMB would have to acquire or rent a building and employ additional staff to operate the centre.

According to him, the board partners with Nigerian diplomatic missions in countries where it conducts the UTME, using temporary spaces within high commission premises and relying on available staff to assist with the examination.

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

He further disclosed that no money had been spent on the proposed Canadian centre, explaining that discussions began after he used a visit to Canada for a conference to explore the possibility.

“Not a single kobo has gone into this exploration so far — I was in Canada for a conference and used the opportunity to make the connection,” he wrote.

Aina said JAMB would not maintain a permanent facility or computer-based test centre in Ottawa. Instead, the examination is expected to take place within the Nigerian High Commission’s premises to keep costs low.

He maintained that JAMB’s foreign examination centres were established primarily to improve access to Nigerian tertiary education, rather than on financial considerations.

Responding to concerns about demand in North America, Aina said the absence of a centre in the region had previously made it impossible for candidates there to sit the UTME.

“There couldn’t have been any candidates in North America since we didn’t have any centres there, sir. You are making our point whilst seeming to argue against it,” he wrote.

JAMB spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, also defended the decision, saying the board had received indications of interest from more than 100 candidates who want to sit the examination in Canada.

“How will you feel if you know that over 100 candidates have already indicated their interest to sit the exam in Canada. Let us promote the nation please,” Benjamin wrote.

The planned Ottawa centre is expected to begin operations with the 2027 UTME and will provide eligible Nigerians living in Canada and other parts of North America with access to the examination without having to travel to Nigeria.