The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is considering introducing life skills and critical thinking into the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). The proposed changes aim to assess candidates beyond their knowledge of academic subjects.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Segun Aina, disclosed this on Wednesday during the Good Morning Nigeria programme on NTA. He said the board wanted to make the examination more relevant to the demands of higher education.
The proposal comes amid wider discussions about improving education and developing practical skills among Nigerian students. Enugu State has also pursued reforms through its new education policy and calls for a national emergency in education.
JAMB Explains How UTME Scores Work
Aina explained that the UTME score does not necessarily show how knowledgeable a candidate is. Instead, it helps rank candidates against others who took the same examination.
“It is not how good you are that your JAMB score speaks to. It is more about how you rank against others,” he said.
He added that the minimum entry score depends partly on candidates’ overall performance during each examination cycle. Therefore, a score that appears high in one year might rank lower in another.
“If you are in a cohort of JAMB candidates where everybody scores above 300, then 299 will suddenly start to look like a very low score,” Aina said. He urged the public to understand the ranking system in its proper context.
The proposed reform could change how the board assesses readiness for university education. It also raises questions about how examinations can measure practical reasoning alongside academic knowledge.
Enugu’s education strategy has similarly emphasised technology and skills development. The state’s Smart Education Model is intended to equip students with knowledge and skills for future opportunities.
Committee to Review Proposed Examination Changes
Aina said JAMB was exploring ways to incorporate life skills and critical thinking into the UTME. A committee of education stakeholders and experts will develop recommendations for the proposed changes.
The committee will examine whether these skills should become separate examination components. It will also consider whether they should form part of existing UTME subjects.
However, JAMB has not announced a final implementation date or detailed assessment format. Candidates should therefore await official guidance before making assumptions about future examinations.
The proposed review comes as education stakeholders continue to discuss the quality and accessibility of learning. More than 30,000 teachers in Enugu recently backed the state’s education agenda, as reported in the teachers’ endorsement of Mbah and Tinubu.
The state has also highlighted investment in school infrastructure and learning technology. Its education plans include Smart Schools and additional opportunities for technical and vocational training.
JAMB Introduces Changes to Candidates’ Personal Details
Beyond examination reform, Aina announced measures to help candidates update their personal information. He said candidates who had lost access to their registered phone numbers or email addresses could now change them through JAMB’s procedures.
The board has also introduced a National Identification Number (NIN) alignment process. Under the arrangement, candidates can update their details with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and align the information with their JAMB profiles.
Aina said the changes would help candidates whose admission plans had suffered because of errors or discrepancies in their records. Previously, some candidates struggled to correct details such as their names and dates of birth.
“Thousands of people were stuck. They completed their degrees; they couldn’t go to university because this wasn’t possible. It is now possible,” he said.
Candidates should follow the board’s official procedures when correcting personal information. They should also ensure their NIN details match the records submitted to JAMB.
The NIN requirement also features in public-sector recruitment processes. For example, Nkanu East’s recruitment notice for healthcare and support staff lists NIN among the details applicants must provide.
Education Opportunities Expand Across Enugu
Efforts to improve access to education extend beyond entrance examinations and school reforms. The National Open University of Nigeria recently matriculated 70 inmates at its Special Study Centre in Enugu, according to Torch TV News’ report on the programme.
The initiative provides inmates with opportunities to pursue undergraduate studies while in custody. It also highlights the role of flexible learning in expanding access to higher education.
Enugu State has also promoted education as a tool for reducing poverty. Oji River Local Government Chairman Greg Anyaegbudike highlighted scholarships for students in his remarks on education and poverty reduction.
Meanwhile, Governor Peter Mbah has linked investment in education to the state’s wider development goals. His administration has presented education alongside infrastructure, healthcare and skills development as key priorities.
These initiatives reflect growing attention to the skills students need beyond formal qualifications. If JAMB adopts the proposed changes, critical thinking and life skills could become a more visible part of Nigeria’s university admission process.
Aina urged candidates to consult JAMB’s official website and social media platforms for details about the new procedures. The board is expected to provide further information as it reviews the proposed examination reforms.
