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The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is refining its policies and deploying technology to reduce the stress candidates face during registration, examinations and admission.
Its Registrar, Prof. Segun Aina, stated this on Wednesday during an interaction with Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) candidates as part of activities marking the board’s 2026 Customer Week at its Abuja Zonal Office.
He said the policy adjustments were aimed at strengthening public confidence, improving transparency and making the admission process less stressful without fundamentally changing the board’s existing operational framework.
“All the policy optimisation that we are doing is centred around two things: building trust and reducing trauma,” he said.
Aina identified improved access to admission information as one of the measures introduced to address candidates’ concerns.
He explained that candidates previously had to contend with vague notifications such as “not admitted” or “admission in progress”, leaving many uncertain about the status of their applications.
The improved system, he said, now provides more details about admission progress, helping candidates understand their situations rather than remain anxious while awaiting decisions.
The registrar also disclosed that technological innovations had made it easier for candidates to update their telephone numbers and email addresses, particularly when they lost access to their registered contact details.
On changes to names and other personal information, Aina commended the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) for collaborating with JAMB to resolve discrepancies in candidates’ records.
He explained that the board had previously restricted such changes over concerns that candidates could manipulate their identities during admission exercises.
However, improved technology and cooperation with NIMC had made it possible to accommodate legitimate corrections while maintaining safeguards.
Aina warned that candidates who attempted to exploit the system for fraudulent purposes would face legal consequences.
“If you are trying to take advantage of the system, please get ready. You will be feeling the full weight of the law in due course,” he warned.
Describing his administration’s approach as consolidation rather than rebranding, Aina acknowledged the contributions of previous leaderships, particularly his predecessor, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, to sanitising the admission system and expanding technology adoption.
He also defended the harmonisation of examination schedules, noting that although it could shorten JAMB’s preparation period, it would help ensure timely release of results for admission exercises.
Aina stressed that the board’s mandate extended beyond conducting the UTME to coordinating admissions and ensuring fairness.
“The people we serve don’t need to know anybody to get admission,” he said, adding that JAMB was responsible for ensuring candidates secured their rightful places based on established requirements.
The registrar further disclosed that the board had inaugurated a committee, headed by Professor Boniface Nwogu, a psychometrician, to examine the possibility of incorporating critical thinking and life skills into its examinations.
He clarified that the proposal remained under consideration and no final decision had been taken.
According to him, the committee would assess whether reasoning, decision-making and practical application of knowledge could provide a broader understanding of candidates’ abilities.
He said that if the committee recommended the proposal and management approved it, JAMB would establish a panel of experts to develop an implementation framework.
Aina emphasised that any additional assessment would complement, rather than replace, existing academic requirements.
He reiterated that the board would continue improving its services through technology, institutional collaboration and policy adjustments to make admissions more transparent, credible and less stressful for candidates.
