On Wednesday, the [Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB)](https://www.jamb.gov.ng) announced that its upcoming review of the [Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME)](https://www.jamb.gov.ng/utme) will introduce measures to evaluate candidates’ critical‑thinking abilities and life‑skills, signalling a shift from a purely academic test to a broader gauge of university readiness.
**What reforms are being proposed?**
The board’s registrar, [Prof. Segun Aina](https://www.jamb.gov.ng/about- us/registrar), told the Good Morning Nigeria programme on NTA that a specialist committee comprising educators, industry experts and other stakeholders has been set up to draft recommendations. The committee will decide whether the new competencies should appear as stand‑alone sections of the UTME or be woven into the existing subject‑based format.
**How should UTME scores be understood?**
Aina cautioned that the exam’s primary purpose is to rank candidates relative to one another, not to serve as an absolute indicator of intelligence or academic ability. He explained that a score’s significance depends on the overall performance of the cohort in a given year. “It is not how good you are that your JAMB score speaks to. It is more about how you rank against others,” he said, adding that a 299 score could look low in a cohort where most candidates exceed 300.
**What new services are being introduced for candidate data?**
Beyond the assessment overhaul, JAMB has rolled out a process that lets applicants modify lost or outdated telephone numbers and email addresses linked to their registration. The board also announced a National Identification Number (NIN) alignment initiative, enabling candidates to correct personal details through the [National Identity Management Commission (NIMC)](https://www.nimc.gov.ng) and synchronize those corrections with their JAMB profiles. “Before, you could not change your name or your date of birth on the JAMB profile. Thousands were stuck. It is now possible,” Aina noted.
**Why are these changes important?**
The proposed reforms aim to produce a more holistic assessment of prospective university students, reflecting modern educational demands and the competitive nature of admission slots. By clarifying score interpretation and simplifying data updates, JAMB hopes to reduce confusion and remove barriers that have previously hindered candidates from progressing in their academic journeys.
Candidates are advised to visit JAMB’s official website and its social‑media channels for detailed guidance on the new procedures and any additional services now available.