The way Nigerians write the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) could soon change completely.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced plans to allow candidates to use their personal computers for the UTME starting from 2027, in what appears to be one of the biggest reforms in the history of the examination body.

The announcement was made by JAMB Registrar, Ishaq Oloyede, during the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions into Tertiary Institutions held in Abuja.

According to Oloyede, the proposed system will permit candidates to write the examination using their own devices, while JAMB inserts a specially configured flash drive into the computer to prevent cheating and maintain the integrity of the exam.

The registrar explained that the innovation is expected to reduce technical complaints commonly reported during UTME examinations, especially cases where systems suddenly shut down or malfunction during the test.

He noted that the new approach would also make the examination process easier to manage and potentially more affordable in the long run.

“This will make the process more convenient for candidates while preserving the credibility of the examination,” Oloyede explained during the meeting.

The JAMB boss further revealed that the board is currently developing several other technology-driven innovations, many of which are already at advanced stages and could also be introduced by 2027.

The announcement has already sparked conversations across Nigeria’s education sector, with many students and parents reacting to the possibility of a more flexible UTME process.

However, questions are also beginning to emerge over internet access, device compatibility, electricity challenges, and how the system would work for candidates who cannot afford personal computers.

Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Education has also unveiled another major policy shift affecting tertiary admissions.

The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, announced that candidates seeking admission into Federal Colleges of Education will no longer be required to sit for the UTME.

The exemption will also apply to students applying for agriculture-related and technology-based programmes that are not engineering courses.

According to the minister, the decision was introduced to improve access to practical education and encourage enrollment into skill-focused academic programmes considered important for national development.

Despite the exemption, affected candidates will still be required to possess the necessary O’Level qualifications before securing admission.

The developments signal what many observers describe as a major transformation in Nigeria’s tertiary education admission process, as authorities push for a more technology-driven and flexible system.