The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that it is working towards establishing a dedicated UTME examination centre in Ottawa, Canada.
The centre is expected to begin operations in 2027. Hence, the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) is about to get a lot closer to Nigerians living in Canada and across North America.
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Reason for a UTME Centre in Ottawa, Canada
Until now, many eligible Nigerians in the diaspora have had to go through an expensive, time-consuming, and often stressful process of travelling all the way back to Nigeria just to sit for the UTME.
Now, eligible candidates in Canada and other parts of North America will be able to write the examination locally, removing a major barrier to accessing Nigerian tertiary institutions.
Beyond convenience, the initiative aims to strengthen the bond between Nigerians abroad and the country’s higher education system. It also creates a clearer pathway for the diaspora to explore academic opportunities back home while showcasing Nigerian universities on a more international stage.
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The plan was discussed by JAMB Registrar, Prof. Segun Aina, during a recent visit to the Nigerian High Commission in Ottawa. The engagement reflects JAMB’s broader commitment to making the UTME more accessible, inclusive, and globally connected.
In the words of the Board, it is: “More access. Fewer barriers. Closer to home.”
This move builds on JAMB’s already extensive network inside Nigeria. For the 2026 UTME, the Board accredited over 1,000 Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres nationwide, with the actual examination eventually conducted across 966 centres. More than 2.2 million candidates sat for the exam.
The Board also currently operates foreign centres in cities such as London, Accra, Johannesburg, Cotonou, and Jeddah, making the planned Ottawa centre a natural extension of its growing international footprint.
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