The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has designated examination centres in 10 countries where Nigerians living abroad and eligible foreign candidates can sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) when seeking admission into Nigerian universities, polytechnics and other tertiary institutions.
The list of countries and designated examination locations was contained in the JAMB Bulletin of May 18, 2026 (Vol. 4, No. 85), which provided details of the centres approved for the 2026 foreign UTME.
JAMB’s decision to conduct the examination outside Nigeria provides candidates living in different parts of the world with an opportunity to participate in Nigeria’s tertiary admission process without having to travel to the country specifically to write the UTME.
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The foreign UTME centres also reflect the Board’s efforts to make the Nigerian admission system more accessible to Nigerians in the diaspora and international candidates interested in pursuing higher education in Nigeria.
The development has attracted renewed attention to JAMB’s international examination arrangements, particularly following the Board’s plan to establish a new UTME centre in Ottawa, Canada, for the 2027 examination.
Countries Where JAMB Conducted the 2026 Foreign UTME
For the 2026 UTME, JAMB listed 10 countries with designated examination centres. The locations were spread across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
1. United Kingdom — London
The United Kingdom was among the countries selected to host the 2026 foreign UTME.
JAMB designated London as the examination centre, giving eligible Nigerians and other candidates residing in the UK an opportunity to participate in the Nigerian university admission process without travelling back to Nigeria to write the examination.
2. Burkina Faso — Ouagadougou
Candidates based in Burkina Faso were also covered under JAMB’s foreign examination arrangement.
The designated centre was located in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, where eligible candidates were scheduled to sit for the UTME.
3. Côte d’Ivoire — Abidjan
JAMB also designated Abidjan, the largest city and economic centre of Côte d’Ivoire, as one of the locations for the 2026 foreign UTME.
Candidates residing in the country and seeking admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions could participate at the approved centre.
4. Equatorial Guinea — Malabo
In Equatorial Guinea, the designated foreign UTME centre was Malabo, the country’s capital.
The centre was included among JAMB’s approved international locations for candidates who needed to take the examination outside Nigeria.
5. The Gambia — Banjul
The Gambia was another West African country included in JAMB’s 2026 foreign UTME arrangement.
The designated examination location was Banjul, allowing eligible candidates residing in the country to participate in the Nigerian tertiary admission process.
6. Ghana — Accra
JAMB also conducted the foreign UTME in Accra, Ghana.
The centre provided an opportunity for eligible candidates living in Ghana to take the examination without travelling to Nigeria.
Ghana’s inclusion is particularly significant because of the large number of Nigerians living, working or studying in the country.
7. Benin Republic — Cotonou
Candidates in Benin Republic were also able to participate in the foreign UTME.
JAMB designated Cotonou as the examination centre for eligible candidates in the country.
The location further expanded access to the Nigerian admission process for candidates living outside Nigeria but within the West African region.
8. Saudi Arabia — Jeddah
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, was also listed as one of the international centres for the 2026 UTME.
However, the examination did not take place in Jeddah on the same dates as the other foreign centres due to unforeseen circumstances.
JAMB subsequently stated that a new date would be announced for candidates who were unable to take the examination as originally scheduled.
9. Cameroon — Buea
Cameroon was another country included in the 2026 foreign UTME programme, with Buea designated as the examination location.
However, candidates in Buea were also unable to take the examination on the initially scheduled dates because of unforeseen circumstances.
JAMB said the affected candidates would be informed of another date for the examination.
10. South Africa — Johannesburg
The 10th country on JAMB’s 2026 foreign UTME list was South Africa.
The designated centre was located in Johannesburg, where eligible candidates could sit for the examination as part of the Nigerian tertiary admission process.
Why Does JAMB Conduct UTME Outside Nigeria?
JAMB’s foreign UTME programme is designed to make the Nigerian tertiary education admission process more accessible to candidates who are outside the country.
For Nigerians living abroad, the arrangement removes the need to travel to Nigeria solely to take the UTME. It therefore gives eligible candidates in the diaspora a more convenient way to participate in the admission process.
The initiative also caters to foreign nationals who wish to study in Nigerian tertiary institutions, providing them with an avenue to participate in the admission process where they meet the relevant requirements.
Beyond examination access, JAMB’s international centres are part of a broader effort to increase the visibility and reach of Nigerian tertiary institutions in the global education space.
By allowing candidates to take the UTME from approved locations outside Nigeria, the Board is effectively extending Nigeria’s tertiary admission system beyond the country’s borders.
JAMB Officials Monitor Foreign UTME Centres
To ensure that the examination is conducted according to its established standards, JAMB deployed officials to the various international centres.
The officials were responsible for monitoring and supervising the conduct of the examination and ensuring compliance with the Board’s examination procedures.
The use of designated foreign centres also allows JAMB to maintain a more coordinated examination process for candidates outside Nigeria.
Ottawa, Canada Centre Expected for 2027 UTME
JAMB’s international examination programme is expected to expand further, with the Board planning to open a new UTME centre in Ottawa, Canada, for the 2027 examination.
The planned Canadian centre is expected to provide another option for candidates in Canada who want to pursue admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions.
The development could further expand JAMB’s international reach and make the Nigerian admission process more accessible to Nigerians living in North America and other prospective international candidates.
Full List of 2026 Foreign UTME Centres
For clarity, the 10 countries and their designated cities were:
- United Kingdom — London
- Burkina Faso — Ouagadougou
- Côte d’Ivoire — Abidjan
- Equatorial Guinea — Malabo
- The Gambia — Banjul
- Ghana — Accra
- Benin Republic — Cotonou
- Saudi Arabia — Jeddah
- Cameroon — Buea
- South Africa — Johannesburg
Candidates should note that the inclusion of a country on JAMB’s foreign UTME list does not mean that candidates can write the examination at any location within that country. Candidates are expected to use the officially designated examination centre and comply with JAMB’s registration and examination requirements.
The foreign UTME therefore provides an important pathway for eligible candidates outside Nigeria who want to compete for admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions while remaining in their countries of residence.
