The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has completed the final stage of its automation drive with the full digital transformation of question development for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.
The Registrar, Ishaq Oloyede, made this known on Tuesday at the University of Ibadan during a capacity-building workshop for item writers and test developers.
Oloyede explained that the digitisation of question setting marks the tenth and concluding phase of a reform process that began more than a decade ago. He noted that examiners can now develop and submit examination items remotely without travelling, describing the innovation as a major milestone in the board’s modernisation efforts.
According to him, the new system is designed to simplify operations, cut costs and improve efficiency, while maintaining strict security standards. He added that multiple safeguards have been integrated to protect the integrity and confidentiality of the examination process.
On preparations for the 2026 UTME, the registrar disclosed that the number of accredited Computer-Based Test centres has increased from about 800 in 2025 to more than 1,000 in 2026. He revealed that nearly two million candidates had registered as of Tuesday morning, exceeding figures recorded at the same period last year.
Oloyede stressed that the sale of registration pins would end as scheduled, with no extension planned. He urged candidates who had purchased pins to complete their registration before the deadline and cautioned parents and students against engaging in examination malpractice, warning that the board is closely monitoring activities.
Reacting to the development, the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology Akure, Adenike Oladiji, said the initiative would strengthen quality assurance across tertiary institutions. She noted that universities depend significantly on JAMB’s screening system and that improved credibility could reduce the need for extensive post-UTME assessments.
Similarly, the Vice-Chancellor of Fountain University, Olayinka Kareem, described the reform as a commendable step toward enhancing confidence in the calibre of students admitted into higher institutions. He added that the digitised system would improve documentation and support more accurate evaluation of candidates’ performance.
Also speaking, the Vice-Chancellor of the African School of Economics, Mahfouz Adedimeji, said the workshop was organised to equip test developers with the technical skills required to operate the new digital platform effectively. He expressed optimism that the reform would enhance efficiency and further improve the standard of questions prepared for the UTME.
The training session drew advisers, academic directors and item writers from universities, polytechnics and secondary schools nationwide.
