The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has conducted the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in eight countries outside Nigeria, marking a significant move towards internationalizing Nigerian higher education. This expansion of the UTME to foreign locations highlights Nigeria’s efforts to attract international students and showcase its universities globally.
On Saturday, July 13, 2024, JAMB administered the UTME for foreign candidates applying to Nigerian tertiary institutions. The exam took place in various locations, including London (UK), Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), Cameroon, Accra (Ghana), Cotonou (Benin Republic), Johannesburg (South Africa), Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire), and Banjul (The Gambia).
This initiative aims to make Nigerian universities competitive globally. JAMB now includes the number of foreign students a university admits as a criterion for the NATAP M-Award, encouraging universities to recruit more international students.
The expansion has already shown positive results. Master Oke Adebola, a candidate from The Gambia, expressed his desire to study at Covenant University in Nigeria, citing the competitive education and quality of instruction as key factors in his decision. He praised the Nigerian government and JAMB for facilitating this opportunity.
Pastor Adebola Olubumi Oke, Head of Kingdom Life Missionary in The Gambia, praised JAMB’s efforts to expand access for diaspora candidates. He pointed out the increasing interest among Gambian parents in Nigerian higher education, emphasizing its competitiveness and affordability compared to local options.
However, there is a need for greater awareness about this opportunity. Pastor Oke suggested that JAMB and the Nigerian High Commission should enhance their outreach efforts to inform more potential candidates about the foreign UTME option.
This development not only benefits aspiring students but also strengthens Nigeria’s position in the global education sector. By attracting international students, Nigerian universities can boost diversity, promote cross-cultural understanding, and improve their global rankings..
As JAMB expands its reach, it sets an example for other African countries to internationalize their higher education systems, promoting more educational collaboration and student mobility across the continent and beyond.
