JAMB to shut down substandard CBT centres

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has warned that computer-based test centres that fail to meet its standards will not receive accreditation to host the 2027 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

The board said approval would depend on centres having adequate facilities, reliable infrastructure and the operational capacity to conduct the examination without avoidable disruptions. JAMB Registrar, Professor Segun Aina, outlined the requirements during a meeting with the leadership of the Chief External Examiners. The meeting reviewed preparations for the accreditation exercise ahead of the 2027 UTME.

According to a post on JAMB’s official X account on Thursday, November 5, the discussions formed part of efforts to improve examination administration and enforce compliance with established operational standards. The board said the accreditation process would screen out inadequately equipped centres and protect candidates from poor examination conditions. It stressed that approval would not be automatic for centres seeking to participate.

“Only centres that meet JAMB’s standards will be accredited to host the examination. For candidates, that means a fair and secure place to sit the UTME, wherever they write it,” the board stated. JAMB said the requirements were intended to ensure that candidates across the country could take the examination in secure, reliable and conducive environments, regardless of their assigned locations.

The screening exercise is also expected to address shortcomings such as inadequate facilities and poor technical readiness, which can disrupt computer-based examinations. As preparations continue, the board maintained that every CBT centre seeking approval for the 2027 UTME must comply with its accreditation requirements.