JAMB to Start Conducting UTME in Canada From 2027: Beyond the Headline

Recently, reports surfaced that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is set to open an examination center in Ottawa, Canada, to handle the registration and testing of prospective candidates wishing to study in Nigeria. Beyond the headlines, it is striking to see the children of Diaspora parents—some of whom once dismissed Nigeria and criticized its institutions—now demonstrating an interest in entering the very academic system their parents departed. This contrast highlights a significant disconnect between sweeping public criticism and practical reality.

​Arguably, if there is one sector Nigerians abroad frequently criticize, it is the country’s educational system. Many argue that Nigerian universities cannot compete globally, pointing to outdated curricula and broader societal challenges. Yet this trend raises a fundamental question: if the system is as flawed as portrayed, why are these same families seeking access to it for their children?

​This hyper-critical stance toward domestic institutions is not unique to Nigerians residing in Canada. Interestingly, JAMB’s expansion reflects a growing demand from Diaspora communities worldwide who want their children to pursue higher education in Nigeria despite their earlier criticisms.

​Currently, JAMB operates international testing centers in several locations, including London (United Kingdom), Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), Johannesburg (South Africa), and Accra (Ghana). The Board also maintains centers in Cotonou (Benin Republic), Banjul (The Gambia), Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire), Buea (Cameroon), Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso), and Malabo (Equatorial Guinea) to accommodate candidates living across Africa who wish to study in Nigerian tertiary institutions.

​Given the persistent criticism directed at the country by some in the Diaspora, the strong advocacy for establishing local admission centers abroad presents a clear paradox. It demonstrates that despite public grievances, these families still see tangible value in the Nigerian university system.

​While challenges exist, Nigerian universities continue to produce resilient and capable graduates who excel globally. Although domestic institutions face funding shortages, they offer quality higher education at a fraction of the cost found in many foreign jurisdictions. Students and faculty continuously adapt to these systemic constraints, driving academic and professional progress.

​Nigerians living abroad should adopt a more balanced perspective when discussing the nation’s institutions. Whether the choice to send children back home to study is driven by affordable tuition rates or the solid foundational values embedded in the curriculum, the underlying reality remains clear: no nation is without its flaws, and building a better educational system requires constructive engagement from all citizens, regardless of where they reside.