JAMB Deploys Technology to Ease UTME Registration, Admission

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has introduced technology-driven measures to simplify registration and admission procedures for candidates, including improved admission-status updates and easier changes to personal information.

The Registrar, Professor Segun Aina, disclosed this on Wednesday during an interaction with Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) candidates in Abuja as part of the board’s 2026 Customer Week activities.

Aina said the changes would reduce the difficulties candidates face while seeking admission and improve transparency in the board’s operations.

He explained that candidates previously received vague notifications such as “not admitted” or “admission in progress”, leaving many uncertain about the progress of their applications.

The board has now improved its admission-status system to provide more detailed information, helping candidates understand their positions in the admission process.

Aina said the improvement would reduce anxiety among candidates and limit confusion arising from inadequate information about their applications.

The registrar also disclosed that JAMB had deployed technology to simplify the process of updating telephone numbers and email addresses, especially for candidates who had lost access to the contact details they used during registration.

He said the changes would reduce unnecessary hardship while protecting candidates’ records and maintaining the integrity of the board’s operations.

On corrections to names and other personal details, Aina said JAMB had strengthened its collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to ensure that candidates’ information matched their official identity records.

He explained that improved technological capacity and cooperation between the agencies had made it easier to accommodate legitimate corrections while maintaining safeguards against identity fraud.

The registrar, however, warned candidates against exploiting the process to alter their identities unlawfully.

“Anyone found engaging in such practices will face the full weight of the law,” he warned.

Aina described the latest measures as a continuation of earlier reforms rather than a complete departure from existing practices. He commended his predecessors, particularly former registrar Professor Ishaq Oloyede, for strengthening JAMB’s operations and expanding its use of technology.

He said the board’s responsibility extended beyond conducting the UTME to ensuring fairness and credibility in the admission process.

According to him, qualified candidates should not have to rely on personal connections or influential contacts to gain admission into tertiary institutions.

“Qualified candidates should not need personal connections to gain admission,” Aina said.

He added that JAMB would continue to regulate the relationship between candidates and tertiary institutions to ensure fairness and compliance with admission requirements.

The registrar also announced that the board had established a committee, headed by Professor Nwogu, a psychometrician, to examine the possible inclusion of critical thinking and life skills in its examinations.

He said the committee would assess how the board could measure these competencies reliably and determine whether their inclusion would improve educational outcomes.

Aina clarified that the proposal remained under consideration and that JAMB had not taken a final decision on the matter.

He said any move to introduce the proposed assessment would depend on the committee’s findings, management approval and further consultations with relevant experts.

The registrar said JAMB would continue to review its policies, strengthen partnerships with relevant institutions and use technology to make registration and admission less stressful for candidates.

He added that the board remained committed to protecting the credibility of Nigeria’s tertiary education admission system while improving service delivery.