The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is planning to introduce a pre-registration mobile application and strengthen biometric verification ahead of the 2027 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The proposed application will allow prospective candidates to begin their registration from home, reducing the time spent at accredited registration centres and helping to prevent errors during the process.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Segun Aina, disclosed the planned innovations in Abuja on Saturday after a five-kilometre walk organised for the board’s staff as part of preparations for the 2027 UTME.
According to Aina, the application will enable candidates to retrieve their personal information from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), enter their biodata, select examination subjects, and choose their preferred courses and institutions before visiting registration centres.
He explained that candidates would also receive guidance on course and institution selection, including information about previous admission requirements and entry marks.
The initiative is expected to help applicants make informed academic choices while reducing registration delays, particularly during biometric capture.
JAMB to Block Wrong UTME Subject Combinations
The registrar also announced plans to introduce a technology-driven system that will prevent candidates from selecting incorrect subject combinations for their intended courses.
He said the system would automatically identify unsuitable combinations and stop applicants from proceeding until they selected the required subjects.
“Before now, you could potentially make wrong subject choices for the course you intend to do. We are going to make that technically impossible, which means you cannot progress with your application if the subject combination is wrong,” Aina said.
The measure is aimed at reducing registration mistakes that could affect candidates’ admission chances.
Tighter Biometric Checks to Curb Examination Malpractice
On examination security, Aina said JAMB would strengthen biometric verification at examination centres to tackle impersonation, examination malpractice and other irregularities.
He explained that although the board had introduced concessions to make corrections to candidates’ biodata less difficult, it would enforce stricter identity checks during the actual examination.
“We have given up some ground and made some concessions to reduce trauma for the candidates in terms of being able to change their biodata and things like that. In exchange for that, we will be applying enhanced checks at the point of the examination to make sure that we protect the integrity of the system,” he said.
The enhanced verification measures are expected to strengthen examination security and ensure that candidates sitting the UTME are properly identified.
JAMB Plans Feedback System for CBT Candidates
The board is also planning to introduce a reporting feature that will allow candidates to flag examination questions they consider faulty during the computer-based test (CBT).
According to Aina, the feedback mechanism will help JAMB gather information about disputed questions, investigate complaints and ensure candidates are assessed fairly.
Candidates will also be able to rate their experiences at CBT centres immediately after completing their examinations.
The registrar said the feedback system would improve accountability among private-sector operators managing CBT centres and encourage better service delivery.
He commended CBT centres for supporting the board since the introduction of computer-based examinations more than a decade ago, while emphasising the need to maintain high operational standards.
The proposed measures form part of JAMB’s broader efforts to improve the registration process, strengthen examination credibility and make the 2027 UTME more efficient.
