By Samuel Olusegun Precious
ABUJA — The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is intensifying efforts to fully digitize Nigeria’s tertiary admissions process, following the official handover of leadership to its new Registrar, Prof. Segun Aina.
Prof. Aina, a Professor of Computer Engineering specializing in digital systems and Artificial Intelligence (AI), formally took over from Prof. Ishaq Oloyede during a ceremony in Abuja on Monday. Analysts view his appointment as a clear signal of the Federal Government’s intent to modernize the public sector and align national educational assessments with the Tinubu administration’s broader digital economy agenda.
During his inaugural speech, Prof. Aina announced the full automation of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) processes, notably highlighting that question authoring is now entirely digitized. Under this system, examiners can set questions remotely without the need for physical travel—marking the 10th and final phase of a decade-long reform aimed at delivering a simpler, cost-effective, and highly secure examination system with robust checks and balances.
To support the rapid transition, JAMB has expanded its digital infrastructure significantly. The board increased its Computer-Based Test (CBT) center network from approximately 800 in 2025 to over 1,000 in 2026. The expanded capacity has already accommodated over two million candidates registered for the 2026 UTME as of February.
Furthermore, JAMB is tapping into Artificial Intelligence to foster greater inclusivity, particularly for candidates with disabilities. The new initiative focuses on leveraging AI to make complex visual elements—such as diagrams and maps—accessible to visually impaired candidates. Outgoing Registrar, Prof. Oloyede, commended the step, describing AI as “one of the greatest opportunities for the democratization of knowledge.”
The initiative forms part of a broader national shift, as both JAMB and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) set sights on fully digitalizing national examinations from 2026. While education and technology experts have widely endorsed the transition, they have urged authorities to strengthen power infrastructure, internet connectivity, and offline backup systems, while conducting extensive public sensitization to avoid marginalizing rural and underprivileged candidates.
JAMB’s tech-driven framework is also gaining international traction. The board is currently sharing its administrative model with Sierra Leone to assist the country in building a centralized, technology-driven admissions system aimed at eliminating duplication and ensuring data integrity.
On the financial front, key fintech partners like Remita have upgraded their payment platforms, enabling candidates to pay directly for ePINs, track transactions, and generate instant receipts, thereby reducing dependency on third-party vendors and curbing potential fraud.
