JAMB mulls policy allowing candidates to write UTME on mobile phone

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB ) is contemplating a policy that allows candidates to write the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) on mobile phones.

Ishaq Oloyede, the board’s registrar, spoke at the 2023 Policy Meeting of Tertiary Institutions in Abuja on Saturday.

Olyede said the proposed policy is based on the rising logistic cost of taking the UTME nationwide.

The JAMB boss said it cost the board over N1.2 billion to equip a computer-based test (CBT) centre in Kaduna state, particularly in procuring PCs which candidates use to take the examination.

“The policy which falls under the ‘Bring Your Own Device’ may require candidates wishing to take UTME in the future to bring their own devices to the examination hall,” he said.

At the policy meeting, the registrar expressed concern that candidates are increasingly craving university education to the detriment of polytechnics and colleges of education.

He advised aspiring candidates to explore other options within the tertiary education sector for admission.

JAMB has been pursuing policy changes to better its UTME administration.

The board earlier said candidates seeking direct entry admission into any university will now be required to sit the exam.

It has also adopted 140 as the minimum cut-off mark for university admission.