The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has announced plans to establish a Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, centre in Ottawa, Canada, with operations expected to begin in 2027.
The proposed centre will allow eligible Nigerians living in Canada and other parts of North America to sit for the examination without travelling to Nigeria solely for the UTME.
JAMB announced the plan on Monday, October 5, 2026, following a visit by its Registrar, Professor Segun Aina, to the Nigerian High Commission in Ottawa.
The board said the initiative is designed to make the Nigerian university admission process more accessible to Nigerians living outside the country, particularly those who intend to pursue tertiary education in Nigeria.
OTTAWA CENTRE EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN 2027
According to JAMB, the proposed Ottawa facility is expected to commence operations in 2027.
The board said eligible Nigerians in Canada and other parts of North America would be able to take the UTME closer to where they live, eliminating the need to make a special trip to Nigeria simply to sit for the examination.
JAMB described the initiative as part of its broader effort to make Nigerian tertiary education more accessible to Nigerians in the diaspora.
The board said the move would also strengthen the connection between Nigerians abroad and the Nigerian education system.
“TAKING NIGERIAN TERTIARY EDUCATION TO THE WORLD”
JAMB said the proposed centre forms part of its effort towards “taking Nigerian tertiary education to the world.” The board also said the initiative would create greater opportunities to showcase Nigerian tertiary education internationally while opening more pathways for Nigerians living abroad who wish to study in Nigerian institutions.
The announcement is particularly significant for Nigerian families in Canada whose children may be interested in returning to Nigeria for university education.
Rather than combining a JAMB registration trip with a long-haul flight to Nigeria, candidates would eventually be able to complete the examination process closer to home.
CENTRE TO SERVE NORTH AMERICAN CANDIDATES
Although the facility will be located in Ottawa, JAMB said it is intended to serve eligible Nigerians in Canada and other parts of North America.
The board’s existing examination framework already provides for foreign candidates to sit for UTME at designated foreign centres, with different registration fees and examination arrangements applicable to candidates outside Nigeria.
The Ottawa centre would therefore add another location to JAMB’s expanding international examination network.
A MOVE TOWARDS GREATER DIASPORA ACCESS
The development also reflects the growing importance of Nigerians living abroad to the country’s education system.
For many diaspora families, sending a child to Nigeria for tertiary education can involve significant costs beyond tuition, including international travel, accommodation and other logistical expenses.
A UTME centre in Canada could reduce some of those barriers for candidates who want to enter Nigerian universities. It could also make it easier for young Nigerians raised or educated abroad to maintain an academic connection with Nigeria.
WHAT THE ANNOUNCEMENT DOES NOT YET MEAN
The announcement is a plan to establish the Ottawa centre, rather than confirmation that the centre is already operational.JAMB said it is working towards establishing the facility, with a projected commencement date of 2027.
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Details such as the exact examination venue, registration process, fees, examination dates and other operational arrangements are expected to be communicated by the board as implementation progresses.
Prospective candidates should therefore rely on official JAMB announcements for the final guidelines rather than unofficial social-media information.
ValidViewNetwork reports that the proposed Ottawa centre represents a significant expansion of access to Nigeria’s university admission system for Nigerians living in North America.
The initiative could also help deepen the relationship between Nigeria’s tertiary education institutions and the country’s growing diaspora community, particularly if the arrangement is supported by clear procedures and adequate examination infrastructure.
Ultimately, the value of the Ottawa centre will depend not only on bringing UTME closer to Nigerian candidates abroad, but also on ensuring that registration, examination security, results processing and admission procedures remain transparent and accessible.