The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has faced criticism over its plan to establish a UTME examination centre in Canada, with some social media users questioning the need for the initiative amid concerns about existing examination centres in Nigeria.
Responding to the criticism, JAMB Registrar, Prof. Segun Aina, defended the plan, explaining that the Board is not building, buying or renting any facility in Canada.
According to him, JAMB will partner with the Nigerian High Commission and use its facilities and staff, similar to the arrangement in the other nine countries where UTME has previously been conducted.
Prof. Aina said the initiative is intended to improve access for Nigerians and other prospective candidates abroad, noting that hundreds of people have expressed interest in writing UTME from overseas.
In another response, JAMB spokesperson Dr. Fabian Benjamin challenged critics to first seek clarification before commenting on the policy. He cited existing international centres in London, Jeddah, Ghana and other locations, and asked whether the demand for a Canada centre had been considered.
Benjamin disclosed that more than 100 candidates had already indicated interest in sitting for UTME in Canada. He said JAMB would continue working within its mandate to promote Nigerian universities and attract international students.
JAMB officials have maintained that the Canada centre is focused on expanding access, rather than increasing examination infrastructure costs, and urged the public to seek clarification before drawing conclusions about the initiative.