In a significant policy shift, Nigeria’s Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, commonly known as JAMB, has announced that candidates will now be permitted to update their registered phone numbers and email addresses. This move comes as welcome relief for thousands of students who had been locked out of their accounts due to lost SIM cards or inaccessible email accounts.
The examination body had previously maintained a strict ban on SIM swaps and email changes, a policy that left many candidates in a difficult position, particularly those who had lost access to the contact details originally linked to their UTME profiles. With the new directive, JAMB is allowing a one-time update window for affected candidates to correct their contact information.
According to the board, this special provision is being introduced to ensure that no eligible student is disadvantaged simply because they can no longer access an old phone number or email account. The update process is expected to be carried out through official JAMB channels, with appropriate verification steps in place to prevent misuse or fraudulent changes.
Education observers have welcomed the development, noting that rigid identity-linked policies often create unnecessary barriers for students, especially in a country where SIM card ownership and email access can be unstable for many young people. The one-time nature of the update is seen as a balanced compromise — offering flexibility while still maintaining the integrity of the registration system.
For Indian students and education enthusiasts following global examination trends, this development highlights an important conversation about how examination boards worldwide are adapting their digital policies to better serve candidates in an increasingly mobile and connected world.
Candidates who need to make changes are advised to act promptly within the permitted window and follow the official JAMB guidelines to ensure a smooth and successful update process.
