The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has said it is unlikely to extend the registration deadline for the 2022 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE). According to the board, the ongoing exercise is running smoothly across the country and is meeting its daily registration targets.
JAMB revealed that despite minor glitches at some centres, the registration process has been largely seamless. The board is currently averaging over 55,000 registrations per day and aims to reach 100,000 daily registrations soon.
No Extension in Sight
The JAMB Registrar, Professor Is’haq Oloyede, made this known during a monitoring visit to registration centres in Lagos.
“We are not expecting any extension. I want to say that we are very happy with the way the exercise has been going two weeks after it started,” he said.
Oloyede noted that nearly 600,000 candidates had already registered for the 2022 UTME/DE, far surpassing the 200,000 registrations recorded at the same time last year.
Registration System Improvements
Professor Oloyede also highlighted various improvements and innovations that have helped the board achieve a seamless registration process. These include:
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The continued use of the 55019 USSD code for registration via NIN.
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The introduction of an alternative 66019 code, which remains largely unused due to the efficiency of the primary code.
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Collaboration with telecom providers like Airtel and MTN to expand infrastructure and minimize technical issues.
“We have hardly had any complaint about the 55019 code. Any issue experienced is likely self-inflicted,” the Registrar added.
Handling Technical Glitches
Although a few centres experienced temporary disruptions, JAMB said these issues are being swiftly resolved with assistance from service providers. Airtel has already implemented capacity upgrades, while MTN is expected to follow suit.
“We hope in the next few hours, the few technical hitches currently being experienced will be taken care of,” Oloyede assured.
What You Should Know
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The 2022 UTME/DE registration began on February 19 and will close on March 26.
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The main UTME examination will hold from May 6 to May 16.
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The mock examination will take place on April 9, revised from the original date of April 16.
Conclusion
With nearly 600,000 candidates already registered and operations running smoothly, JAMB is confident there will be no need for a registration extension. Prospective candidates are encouraged to complete their registration before the March 26 deadline.
