The registrar said the improvements formed part of broader efforts to make JAMB’s services more accessible and responsive to the needs of candidates.
He also highlighted the role of technology in simplifying the process of updating personal information.
According to him, candidates can now update their telephone numbers and email addresses more easily through technological improvements introduced by the board.
Aina added that collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission had helped improve the process of correcting personal details, addressing a challenge that can affect candidates during registration and other admission-related procedures.
He said the board would continue to use technology and institutional partnerships to reduce administrative difficulties and improve the experience of candidates interacting with its services.
Registrar Warns Against Identity Manipulation
Despite the improvements, Aina cautioned candidates against attempting to manipulate their identities or engage in fraudulent practices while dealing with the board.
He warned that anyone found engaging in such activities would face the law, stressing that efforts to make registration and admission less stressful would not come at the expense of compliance with established rules.
The registrar said the board remained committed to ensuring that candidates’ information was handled through legitimate procedures and that admission decisions complied with the relevant requirements.
He also described his administration’s approach as one of consolidation rather than a complete departure from existing practices.
Aina acknowledged the contributions of previous JAMB leadership, particularly his predecessor, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, to strengthening the board’s operations and expanding its adoption of technology.
He indicated that the ongoing policy adjustments would build on existing systems rather than discard the structures already established.
The approach, he said, was intended to preserve improvements achieved over the years while addressing areas where candidates continued to experience difficulties.
JAMB Reaffirms Commitment to Merit-Based Admissions
Aina stressed that JAMB’s responsibilities extended beyond conducting the UTME to coordinating admissions and ensuring that qualified candidates secured places in tertiary institutions on merit.
He said the board would continue to promote fairness and compliance with admission requirements, insisting that candidates should not need personal connections to gain admission.
“The people we serve don’t need to know anybody to get admission,” he said.
The registrar’s remarks underscored the board’s position that admission decisions should be guided by established requirements rather than personal influence.
JAMB coordinates admission processes involving universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, with candidates expected to satisfy the relevant requirements for their chosen institutions and programmes.
Aina said the board would continue working to ensure that the process remained fair while improving the information and services available to candidates.
The emphasis on merit and transparency forms part of the board’s wider efforts to strengthen public confidence in its examination and admission responsibilities.
Committee to Examine Critical Thinking and Life Skills
The registrar also disclosed that JAMB had inaugurated a committee headed by Prof. Boniface Nworgu, a psychometrician, to examine the possibility of incorporating critical thinking and life skills into its examinations.
He said the committee would assess whether candidates’ reasoning, decision-making and problem-solving abilities could be measured alongside conventional academic requirements.
Aina stressed that no final decision had been taken on the proposal, explaining that any changes would depend on the committee’s findings and subsequent approval by JAMB management.
The proposed review could inform future discussions about the range of abilities assessed through the board’s examinations, but the registrar did not provide a timeline for the committee to complete its work.
He also did not specify the format such an assessment might take or whether any recommendations would affect the structure of future UTME examinations.
The committee’s task is therefore to examine the feasibility of the proposal before the board determines whether changes are necessary.
Harmonised Timetable Remains Important
Aina further highlighted the importance of maintaining a harmonised examination timetable to ensure that results are released in time for tertiary institutions to conduct their admission exercises.
He said coordination between examination schedules and admission processes was essential to the smooth running of the academic calendar.
The registrar reaffirmed that JAMB would continue refining its policies, strengthening institutional partnerships and deploying technology to make registration and admission less stressful for candidates.
He maintained that these efforts would be pursued alongside measures to protect the credibility of the examination and ensure that admission procedures remained fair and transparent.
The board’s ongoing review is focused on improving the candidate experience while maintaining the existing framework for examinations and admissions, with further changes dependent on assessments and approvals where required.
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