JAMB to Allow Candidates Use Personal Computers for UTME from 2027

JAMB to Allow Candidates Use Personal Computers for UTME from 2027

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced plans to introduce a “Bring Your Own Device” (BYOD) option for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) beginning from 2027 as part of efforts to improve examination efficiency and reduce technical problems experienced at Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres.

The Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, disclosed this on Monday during the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions into Tertiary Institutions held in Abuja.

According to Oloyede, candidates will be allowed to use their personal laptops or computers for the examination under a controlled system designed to preserve the integrity and security of the UTME process.

He explained that a specially configured flash drive and other security mechanisms would be deployed to restrict unauthorised access, prevent malpractice and ensure candidates cannot tamper with the examination platform during the test.

“Candidates would be allowed to use their personal devices for the examination, but a flash drive would be inserted to prevent malpractice,” Oloyede stated.

The JAMB registrar said the initiative was introduced to make the examination process more convenient, reliable and cost-effective for both candidates and the examination body.

According to him, the move would also address frequent complaints by candidates about malfunctioning computers and sudden system shutdowns at CBT centres during examinations.

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Oloyede noted that many candidates perform better on devices they are already familiar with, adding that the BYOD option would reduce anxiety associated with using unfamiliar systems during the high-stakes examination.

He further explained that the board was developing additional technological safeguards ahead of the 2027 rollout to ensure that the system meets global examination standards and remains resistant to cyber threats or examination fraud.

The planned reform forms part of JAMB’s broader digital transformation strategy aimed at improving the credibility, efficiency and transparency of Nigeria’s tertiary admission process.

In recent years, JAMB has introduced stricter examination monitoring systems including biometric verification, IP address tracking, candidate login restrictions and real-time surveillance at accredited CBT centres to curb examination malpractice.

The registrar also disclosed that the board had continued to sanction CBT centres found guilty of violating examination guidelines, while several centres were delisted during the 2026 UTME exercise over technical and ethical breaches.

During the same policy meeting, JAMB announced top performers in the 2026 UTME examination.

According to Oloyede, John Ayuba Enwere emerged as the overall best candidate with a score of 372.

Enwere, who sat for the examination in Lagos State, selected Nile University as his first-choice institution and intends to study Computer Science.

Ayomide Bamisile from Ondo State emerged as the third-best candidate with a score of 369 and chose the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) as his preferred institution to study Software Engineering.

JAMB also used the meeting to discuss admission benchmarks, institutional capacities and reforms aimed at improving fairness and transparency in the admission process across Nigerian tertiary institutions.

The UTME remains Nigeria’s primary entrance examination for admission into universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, with over two million candidates sitting for the examination annually.

JAMB to Allow Candidates Use Personal Computers for UTME from 2027