The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is currently deliberating a potential new policy that would enable Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) candidates to write their exams using personal phones and other devices.
This announcement was made by the Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, during the 2023 Policy Meeting on Admissions to Tertiary Institutions held in Abuja on Saturday.
The proposed policy comes in response to the increasing costs associated with logistics for conducting the UTME nationwide.
Prof. Oloyede revealed that equipping a Computer Based Test (CBT) center in Kaduna state alone incurs a staggering cost of over N1.2 billion, primarily due to the procurement of computers that candidates use for the examination.
To address this financial burden, JAMB is considering adopting the “Bring Your Own Device” initiative, which would require candidates to bring their own devices to the examination halls in the future.
“The policy, which falls under the ‘Bring Your Own Device’ concept, may require candidates wishing to take the UTME in the future to bring their own devices to the examination hall,” Prof. Oloyede stated.
During the policy meeting, the JAMB registrar also expressed concern about the overwhelming preference for university education among candidates, often overshadowing polytechnics and colleges of education.
He emphasized the need for aspiring candidates to explore alternative options within the tertiary education sector for admission, urging them not to overlook the opportunities available in polytechnics and colleges of education.
Prof. Oloyede highlighted the existing disparity in admission quotas across the country, condemning the unequal distribution.
