UTME: JAMB Eases SIM, Email Restrictions, Sets One-Time Access Rule

• The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has relaxed restrictions on changing registered phone numbers and email addresses, allowing candidates who genuinely lose access to their credentials to update them ahead of the 2027 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

• The revised policy, which takes effect from Monday, September 21, 2026, introduces a controlled process backed by enhanced identity and biometric verification to protect candidates’ records from impersonation, fraud and unauthorised alterations.

• Candidates seeking a SIM swap or email change must complete the required payment through their JAMB e-Facility profile and visit an authorised CBT, Professional Test Centre (PTC)

• JAMB said the service would be available only once to each candidate, stressing that the concession is intended for genuine cases involving loss of access to registered credentials and must not be abused.

September 21, () – The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has reviewed its policy on the swapping of candidates’ registered phone numbers and changing of registered email addresses ahead of the 2027 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

Under the revised arrangement, candidates who genuinely lose access to the phone numbers or email accounts originally linked to their JAMB profiles can now update the credentials through a controlled verification process.

The new policy takes effect from Monday, September 21, 2026.

JAMB, in a statement signed by its Acting Director, Public Affairs and Protocols, Dr Fabian Benjamin, said the review followed the deployment of enhanced security measures, particularly stronger identity and biometric verification processes.

The Board had previously prohibited SIM swapping and changes to registered email addresses as part of measures to protect candidates’ records against fraud and other security vulnerabilities.

However, JAMB said the restriction had created difficulties for genuine candidates who subsequently lost access to their registered phone numbers or email accounts and could no longer recover them.

The reviewed policy is therefore designed to provide relief to such candidates while retaining safeguards against impersonation and unauthorised alterations to their records.

According to the Board, the concession is particularly important for candidates who are unable to use their previously registered phone numbers for subsequent UTME exercises or whose registered email accounts can no longer be recovered.

JAMB said the initiative would reduce the hardship associated with loss of access to registered credentials and make processes connected with tertiary education admission more seamless.

It, however, stressed that the service would be subject to strict authentication procedures.

One-Time Service

The Board said the SIM swap and/or email change service would be available only once to each candidate.

“The service is available at JAMB Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres, including Professional Test Centres (PTC), Professional Registration Centres (PRC) and State Offices where applicable,” JAMB said.

Candidates seeking to use the service are required to provide their new phone number and/or email address, as applicable.

They must also provide a duly executed court affidavit, scanned and ready for upload as part of the verification process.

Under the procedure, candidates are expected to log in to their JAMB e-Facility profiles using their existing credentials, including their email address, registration number, or profile code.

They are then required to select SIM Swap/Email Change Payment from the menu and pay the prescribed fee before proceeding to a designated JAMB CBT, PTC or PRC centre.

At the centre, candidates will access the SIM Swap/Email Change Quicklink, enter their profile code or existing GSM number and click Fetch Details.

The candidate will subsequently undergo biometric verification before selecting the required service — phone number only, email address only, or both.

The new phone number and/or email address will then be entered, while the scanned court affidavit will be uploaded before the candidate clicks Update to complete the process.

JAMB said a confirmation message would be displayed after the transaction had been completed.

Stronger Security Measures

The Board said the enhanced verification requirements were necessary because registered phone numbers and email addresses form important parts of candidates’ identities within its system.

Unrestricted changes to such credentials could expose candidates to impersonation, fraudulent alterations and unauthorised access to their JAMB profiles.

The new procedure therefore combines payment, physical presence at designated centres, biometric verification and documentary evidence before changes can be effected.

JAMB advised candidates to use the service strictly for genuine cases and warned them to patronise only designated and authorised centres.

The Board also urged candidates to avoid relying on unauthorised intermediaries who may attempt to exploit the process or obtain sensitive personal information.