The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is improving its admission processes to boost transparency, strengthen public trust and reduce anxiety among candidates.
The board’s Registrar, Prof. Segun Aina, disclosed this during an interaction with journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. He said the changes were designed to improve existing systems rather than introduce major policy shifts.
Aina explained that the reforms align with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to reduce emotional stress among young people and build confidence in the admission process.
JAMB Admission Tracking Gets More Detailed
Under the revised system, candidates can now see more information about the progress of their admission applications.
Previously, applicants waiting for decisions could see only a “not admitted” notification. The updated system provides clearer information on applications still being processed, helping candidates understand their status and avoid unnecessary worry.
Aina said greater transparency was essential to building trust in JAMB and its admission procedures.
The board has also introduced a process that allows candidates to update their email addresses and phone numbers if they lose access to them. According to the registrar, technology has made these improvements possible, while safeguards remain in place to protect candidates’ records and the board’s systems.
JAMB Partners NIMC on Candidates’ Records
JAMB has also partnered with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to address inconsistencies in candidates’ names and other personal information.
The arrangement allows applicants to align their records with NIMC data. It also helps JAMB verify information and identify possible attempts to manipulate identities.
Aina said the latest initiatives build on earlier reforms introduced under previous leadership, particularly that of former registrar Prof. Ishaq Oloyede. He stressed that the goal was to strengthen existing improvements rather than rebrand the examination body.
Harmonised Timetable May Speed Up Admission
The registrar also discussed the harmonised examination timetable, noting that it would reduce the time available for JAMB to prepare for its examinations.
However, he said the arrangement would benefit the wider education system by helping ensure that results are released within the period required for admission decisions.
JAMB Considers Critical Thinking and Life Skills Tests
JAMB is also exploring whether critical thinking and life skills assessments should form part of its examinations.
Aina said the board had established a committee to study how these competencies could be assessed. At present, JAMB mainly tests candidates in subjects covered by their Senior Secondary School Certificate examinations.
The proposed approach could help the board assess abilities beyond conventional academic subjects when determining candidates’ readiness for university education.
Aina noted that critical thinking and sound decision-making were particularly important in fields such as medicine, where students need more than technical knowledge in subjects like biology and chemistry.
He added that JAMB was discussing a long-term study with some universities. The study would examine whether candidates’ critical thinking and life skills scores correlate with their later academic performance.
According to Aina, the findings could help determine whether these competencies should complement traditional academic qualifications in admission decisions. The initiative could also offer a broader picture of candidates’ abilities beyond their performance in a single examination.