By Gabriella Ogbu
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has unveiled plans to provide candidates with personalized SIM cards during the registration process for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). This initiative aims to address ongoing issues related to SIM loss or theft.
According to JAMB’s Weekly Bulletin, this collaborative effort with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is set to launch early in 2025. The specially designed SIM cards, tailored specifically for UTME registration, will feature enhanced security measures and will be exclusively available to parents. These SIM cards will remain valid for five years, ensuring continuous and secure access for candidates throughout their academic journey.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, disclosed these developments during a visit from the West Africa Civil Societies Forum (WACSOF) team. Prof. Oloyede expressed confidence that the introduction of personalized SIM cards will effectively tackle the numerous challenges encountered during the registration process.
“The use of personalized SIM cards will efficiently address the many obstacles candidates face during registration,” Prof. Oloyede stated. He assured the civil society organizations of JAMB’s dedication to streamlining and enhancing the UTME registration process, emphasizing the Board’s commitment to leveraging advanced technology to improve service delivery across Nigeria.
In recent years, many candidates experienced difficulties registering for the UTME due to changes in their SIM cards. Some faced issues retrieving their results after misplacing their registered SIM cards. This new initiative aims to eliminate such problems, providing a more reliable and user-friendly registration experience.
Prof. Oloyede highlighted the Board’s comprehensive approach to improving the UTME registration system. “We are committed to making the registration process more streamlined and approachable,” he said. “By integrating cutting-edge technology, we aim to deliver services more effectively and ensure a seamless experience for all candidates.”
The personalized SIM cards are expected to offer multiple benefits, including secure communication between JAMB and candidates, efficient management of candidate information, and reduced instances of fraudulent activities. The five-year validity period will also allow candidates to use the same SIM card for future academic endeavors, promoting continuity and ease of access.
As JAMB prepares to roll out this initiative, the collaboration with the NCC underscores the importance of inter-agency cooperation in addressing critical issues within the educational sector. This innovative approach is poised to set a new standard for UTME registration, ensuring that candidates can focus on their studies without worrying about technical hurdles.
