Ottawa UTME centre is about access, not revenue – JAMB Registrar

The board had earlier said the centre would reduce the need for Nigerians in the diaspora to travel to Nigeria solely to sit the examination.

No UTME Centre Previously in North America

According to Aina, JAMB already operates examination centres across several African countries, but there was no UTME centre in North America before the proposed Ottawa facility.

The planned centre will therefore extend the geographical reach of the examination to a new region and provide another access point for Nigerians seeking admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions.

Aina said the board had received enquiries from prospective candidates and expected interest in the examination to increase following the announcement of the proposed centre.

The Ottawa facility is expected to commence operations during the 2027 UTME, although further operational details were not provided in the statement.

The initiative comes as part of JAMB’s stated efforts to make the Nigerian tertiary education system more accessible to Nigerians living outside the country.

Centre to Serve Nigerians in Canada, North America

The proposed Ottawa centre is expected to particularly benefit eligible Nigerians who may face logistical and financial challenges travelling to Nigeria to take the UTME.

By providing an examination location in Canada, JAMB said candidates in the country and other parts of North America would have easier access to the examination while remaining connected to Nigeria’s tertiary education system.

The board had described the initiative as part of its effort to strengthen the connection between Nigerians in the diaspora and Nigerian tertiary education.

It also said the establishment of the centre would provide opportunities to showcase Nigerian tertiary education internationally.

Aina’s latest clarification further emphasised that the number of candidates expected to use the Ottawa centre was not the central factor behind the decision.

Instead, the registrar said JAMB’s experience with examination centres in foreign countries and correctional facilities showed that access to the examination could be prioritised even where candidate numbers were not the main consideration.

The planned Ottawa centre is consequently expected to provide another pathway for Nigerians abroad who intend to pursue tertiary education in Nigeria.

With operations projected to begin during the 2027 UTME, the centre will mark JAMB’s planned expansion of examination access to Nigerians in Canada and the wider North American region.