The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is working towards establishing a Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) centre in Ottawa, Canada, with operations expected to begin in 2027.
The proposed centre is aimed at making the UTME more accessible to eligible Nigerians living in Canada and other parts of North America, particularly those who intend to pursue tertiary education in Nigeria.
If established as planned, the facility would provide candidates in the region with an option to take the examination closer to where they live, reducing the need to travel to Nigeria solely for the UTME.
Proposed Ottawa UTME Centre
The planned examination centre in Ottawa is part of efforts to expand access to the UTME beyond Nigeria.
The initiative is expected to benefit Nigerians in Canada and other parts of North America who need to participate in the examination as part of their plans to gain admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions.
The information provided does not give a specific opening date within 2027 or details about the centre's registration process, examination fees or eligibility requirements. Such details have therefore not been added to this report.
Supporting Nigerians in the Diaspora
The proposed centre could make participation in the UTME more convenient for Nigerians living abroad.
Currently, the information provided specifically identifies Canada and North America as the target region for the initiative. The planned arrangement is intended to reduce the travel burden for eligible candidates who would otherwise need to come to Nigeria specifically to sit for the examination.
Beyond examination access, the initiative is also expected to strengthen the relationship between Nigerians in the diaspora and Nigeria's tertiary education system.
JAMB Registrar Discusses Initiative in Ottawa
The proposed examination centre was discussed by JAMB Registrar, Prof. Segun Aina, during a visit to the Nigerian High Commission in Ottawa.
The engagement provided an opportunity to discuss the planned expansion of UTME access in Canada.
The initiative reflects JAMB's stated effort to make the examination more accessible and globally connected while creating additional pathways for Nigerians living abroad who wish to pursue higher education in Nigeria.
Greater International Reach for Nigerian Tertiary Education
The proposed Ottawa centre is also presented as part of a broader effort to increase the international reach of Nigerian tertiary education.
By providing an examination option closer to Nigerians residing in North America, the initiative could make it easier for members of the diaspora to participate in Nigeria's university admission process.
It also provides an avenue for Nigerian tertiary education to have greater visibility among Nigerians living outside the country.
Key Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Examination | Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) |
| Agency | Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) |
| Proposed location | Ottawa, Canada |
| Expected commencement | 2027 |
| Target candidates | Eligible Nigerians in Canada and North America |
| Purpose | Easier access to the UTME for Nigerians in the diaspora |
| JAMB official mentioned | Prof. Segun Aina, Registrar |
| Engagement | Visit to the Nigerian High Commission in Ottawa |
What Prospective Candidates Should Know
The Ottawa centre is currently described as a planned initiative, with operations expected to commence in 2027. It should therefore not be interpreted as an already operational UTME centre.
No specific information has been provided on when registration for the proposed centre will open, how candidates will register, the exact location of the examination facility or whether additional arrangements will apply to candidates outside Ottawa.
Prospective candidates in Canada and other parts of North America who are interested in taking the UTME through the proposed facility should await further official information from JAMB as the plan progresses.
The proposed establishment of the Ottawa centre represents an effort to bring UTME access closer to Nigerians living in North America while strengthening their connection with Nigeria's tertiary education system. If implemented as expected in 2027, eligible candidates in the region would have a more convenient option for participating in the examination without travelling to Nigeria solely for that purpose.

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