The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced plans to establish a Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) centre in Ottawa, Canada, from 2027.

The board said the proposed centre would enable eligible Nigerians living in Canada and other parts of North America to sit for the UTME without travelling to Nigeria solely for the examination.

JAMB disclosed this on its official social media platforms following a visit by its Registrar, Professor Segun Aina, to the Nigerian High Commission in Ottawa.

JAMB Targets Nigerians in North AmericaAccording to the examination body, the Ottawa centre is part of its efforts to expand access to Nigerian tertiary education for Nigerians in the diaspora and strengthen their connection with the country’s education system.

JAMB said the initiative would particularly benefit Nigerians seeking admission into universities, polytechnics and other tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

The board stated that the centre would make the UTME more accessible to Nigerians in Canada while creating greater opportunities to showcase Nigerian tertiary education internationally.

JAMB said it was “working towards establishing a UTME examination centre in Ottawa, Canada, expected to commence operations in 2027.”

The board added that the initiative would reduce barriers faced by Nigerians abroad who wish to pursue tertiary education in Nigeria.“For Nigerians in Canada, the UTME is coming closer to home,” JAMB said.

The proposed Ottawa centre is expected to serve eligible candidates in Canada and potentially other parts of North America, as part of JAMB’s broader effort to expand access to the Nigerian tertiary education system.