The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced stricter accreditation measures for Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres ahead of the 2027 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), warning that facilities that fail to meet its prescribed standards will not be allowed to participate.
The examination body said only centres with adequate facilities, reliable infrastructure and sufficient operational capacity would receive approval to host candidates during the nationwide examination.
The Registrar of JAMB, Professor Segun Aina, disclosed the position during a meeting with the leadership of the Chief External Examiners, where preparations for the forthcoming accreditation exercise were reviewed.
According to information released by the Board on its official X account, the meeting was part of efforts to strengthen examination administration and ensure that CBT centres comply with established operational requirements.
JAMB explained that the accreditation exercise would serve as an important screening process to prevent inadequately equipped facilities from conducting the examination.
The Board maintained that the objective was to protect candidates from avoidable technical disruptions and ensure that examination conditions remain fair and secure across different locations.
It stressed that accreditation would not be automatic for centres seeking to participate in the 2027 UTME, adding that operators must demonstrate their readiness before they can be approved.
In its message to candidates, the examination body emphasised that only centres that satisfy its standards would be permitted to host the examination, regardless of their location.
The announcement signals JAMB's determination to strengthen the credibility of the UTME by placing greater emphasis on the quality and reliability of facilities used during the computer-based examination.
For thousands of candidates seeking admission into universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, the quality of CBT facilities remains an important part of the examination experience.
Technical problems, unreliable computer systems and inadequate examination infrastructure can create unnecessary difficulties for candidates, particularly when such challenges interrupt examinations or affect the smooth completion of scheduled sessions.
By tightening accreditation requirements, JAMB is seeking to ensure that centres have the necessary facilities and operational arrangements before candidates are assigned to them.
The involvement of Chief External Examiners in the preparatory discussions also highlights the importance the Board is placing on examination oversight and readiness ahead of the accreditation process.
Centre operators are therefore expected to take the requirements seriously, as failure to satisfy the Board's conditions could prevent them from participating in the 2027 examination.
The development also places responsibility on examination officials to identify operational weaknesses before the UTME begins, rather than waiting for candidates to experience problems during the exercise.
For prospective candidates, the announcement offers reassurance that JAMB intends to prioritise a secure and conducive examination environment when selecting facilities for the next admission cycle.
However, the Board's latest statement does not provide a detailed public checklist of every technical specification or the complete timetable for the accreditation exercise.
Centre operators will therefore need to follow official JAMB communications for specific requirements, inspection arrangements and other instructions relating to the approval process.
Candidates are also advised to rely on official JAMB announcements when checking information about examination arrangements and approved facilities, rather than depending on unverified reports circulating online.
With preparations for the 2027 UTME gathering momentum, JAMB's position makes it clear that CBT centres must demonstrate the capacity to deliver reliable examination services before they can be entrusted with candidates.
The Board's insistence on strict compliance is expected to reinforce efforts to make the 2027 UTME more credible, orderly and convenient for candidates across the country.