2027 UTME: JAMB Unveils Major Reforms, Introduces Home Registration App, Tougher Biometric Checks

2027 UTME: JAMB Unveils Major Reforms, Introduces Home Registration App, Tougher Biometric Checks

 

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced major technology-driven reforms ahead of the 2027 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), including plans to introduce a mobile application that will enable candidates to begin their registration from the comfort of their homes.

 

The proposed innovations, unveiled by JAMB Registrar, Professor Segun Aina, are aimed at reducing registration difficulties, preventing avoidable application errors, strengthening examination security and improving the overall experience of millions of candidates seeking admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions.

 

Under the new arrangement, prospective candidates will no longer have to complete every preliminary registration procedure at accredited JAMB centres, as the proposed mobile application will allow them to undertake important aspects of the process before visiting designated facilities for biometric capture and other necessary procedures.

 

Aina disclosed the development in Abuja on Saturday after participating in a five-kilometre fitness walk organised for the board’s staff as part of preparations for the 2027 UTME.

 

Explaining how the application would work, the registrar said candidates would be able to retrieve their personal information directly from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), fill in their biodata and select their preferred examination subjects, courses and institutions before proceeding to registration centres.

 

The application is also expected to provide advance academic guidance to candidates by displaying relevant admission information, including previous years’ entry requirements and marks for their preferred courses.

 

This, according to the board, will help candidates make better-informed decisions about their academic choices and avoid selecting courses for which they may not satisfy the required admission conditions.

 

One of the significant features of the proposed application is an automated safeguard designed to eliminate incorrect UTME subject combinations.

 

Under the arrangement, candidates will not be allowed to proceed with their applications if their selected examination subjects do not correspond with the requirements of their preferred courses.

 

Aina explained that the technology would make it practically impossible for candidates to complete registration with inappropriate subject combinations, a problem that has previously affected some applicants during the admission process.

 

The registrar also announced plans to strengthen biometric verification at examination centres as part of efforts to tackle impersonation and other forms of examination malpractice.

 

According to him, while JAMB is introducing measures to make registration less stressful, the board will simultaneously strengthen identity checks during the actual examination to protect the credibility of the UTME.

 

He noted that the board had made certain concessions to ease difficulties candidates encounter when seeking corrections to their personal information and biodata.

 

However, the increased flexibility during registration would be accompanied by enhanced biometric checks at examination centres to ensure that candidates sitting for the examination are genuinely the individuals registered for it.

 

Beyond registration and examination security, JAMB is also planning to introduce a feedback mechanism that will allow candidates to report questions they consider faulty during their computer-based examinations.

 

The proposed feature will enable the board to receive complaints about disputed examination questions, examine such reports and gather information that could help improve the fairness and credibility of subsequent assessments.

 

Candidates will also have the opportunity to rate the services provided by their respective Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres immediately after completing their examinations.

 

The initiative is expected to strengthen accountability among private operators managing accredited CBT facilities and encourage improved service delivery.

 

Aina commended CBT centre operators for their contributions to the examination process since JAMB introduced computer-based testing more than a decade ago, but stressed that the board would continue to insist on high standards.

 

The planned reforms represent another phase in JAMB’s efforts to modernise Nigeria’s tertiary admission process through technology, improve operational efficiency and reduce the anxiety frequently associated with UTME registration and examinations.

 

For prospective candidates preparing for the 2027 UTME, the proposed changes could significantly alter how they register, select courses and interact with the examination body.

 

However, candidates are advised to continue monitoring official JAMB announcements for further information on the deployment of the application, registration guidelines and other arrangements for the 2027 examination.

 

2027 UTME: JAMB Unveils Major Reforms, Introduces Home Registration App, Tougher Biometric Checks