Candidates preparing for the 2027 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) are expected to sit their examinations only at computer-based test centres that meet the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s prescribed operational and technical standards.
The examination body has warned that CBT centres that fail to satisfy its accreditation requirements will not be permitted to participate in the 2027 exercise, as it moves to strengthen the quality and reliability of examination facilities across the country.
The decision is part of efforts to ensure that candidates have access to properly equipped testing centres, with dependable infrastructure and the capacity to conduct examinations without unnecessary disruptions.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Segun Aina, gave the indication during a meeting with the leadership of the Chief External Examiners, where preparations for the accreditation of CBT centres ahead of the 2027 UTME were discussed.
According to information shared on the Board’s official X account, the meeting was organised to review examination preparations and reinforce compliance with established operational requirements.
The planned accreditation exercise will serve as a screening process to identify centres that lack the facilities or technical capacity required to host candidates. Facilities that fail to meet the Board’s standards will be excluded from the examination.
JAMB said the stricter requirements are intended to prevent avoidable technical problems and poor examination conditions that could affect candidates during the test.
“Only centres that meet JAMB’s standards will be accredited to host the examination. For candidates, that means a fair and secure place to sit the UTME, wherever they write it,” the Board stated.
The move places greater emphasis on the role of CBT infrastructure in maintaining the credibility of Nigeria’s tertiary education admission process. Since candidates across the country take the UTME at different centres, the quality and reliability of the facilities available at each location remain important to ensuring consistent examination conditions.
By tightening its accreditation process, JAMB is seeking to ensure that candidates are not disadvantaged by the condition of the centres assigned to them, regardless of where they take the examination.
