JAMB and UTME – Know the full meaning and Difference

As a student in any Nigerian secondary school, you must have heard about JAMB and UTME. If you aspire to further your studies into the university , it is important that you know all about JAMB UTME.

In this article we will explain everything you need to know about JAMB and UTME- the full meaning, purpose, requirements, exam scope and every other important information.

Let’s look at the full meaning of JAMB and UTME.

What Is The Full Meaning Of JAMB?

The full meaning of JAMB is JOINT ADMISSION MATRICULATION BOARD. This is the board that conducts the entrance Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination for prospective undergraduates into Nigerian universities.

The board is also in charge of administering similar examinations for applicants to Nigerian public and private monotechnic, polytechnics, and colleges of education. 

JAMB was founded in 1978 and the current registrar of Jamb is Ishaq Oloyede who was appointed by president Muhammadu Buhari in August, 2016

What Is The Full Meaning Of UTME?

UTME means UNIFIED TERTIARY MATRICULATION EXAMINATION. This is the examination conducted by JAMB that students write every year. 

What Is The Difference Between JAMB And UTME?

JAMB is the body in charge of the UTME. So basically, JAMB are the people in charge while UTME is the exam. These two acronyms, JAMB and UTME, are mostly used interchangeably even though they have completely different meanings.

Every year, the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board JAMB conducts the UTME examination that determines if a student will be admitted to higher education based on their scores.

Another important criteria is that candidates must have obtained the West Africa School Certificate, now West African Examinations Council, WAEC, or its equivalent, National Examination Council (Nigeria), NECO.

JAMB is a Nigerian based exam and not required to study abroad. This means that you will not need to write JAMB if you intend to study in a university abroad.

Also, JAMB is not required to study in the National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN. Find out more on the requirements you will need to study at NOUN.

We would also like to point out that JAMB is different from IJMB which stands for Interim Joint Matriculation Board.

While JAMB admits students into 100 level, IJMB admits students into 200 level

FAQ About JAMB and UTME exam

How To Register for JAMB 2024

Registering for JAMB is not the easiest of process. We have a detailed guide with the requirements you will need. Please refer to that guide for all the information on JAMB registration 2024.

However, here is a summary of JAMB registration procedure

1. Create a new Email address. Preferably a Google email address
2. Get a new and active phone number. This phone number should have NEVER been used for any other JAMB registration
3. Get your NIN if you do not have one already. This process could take weeks, so apply on time
4. Dial *55019*1*NIN# or *66019*1*NIN# on your phone
5. Receive your JAMB profile code
6. Purchase JAMB ePin online or in any banks in Nigeria using your profile code
7. Fill your Biodata form correctly. This will be used during registration 
8. Budget at least 5,000 Naira for this whole process
9. Visit the nearest JAMB CBT center with your ePin, Bio data form, profile code and O’level result (if available). Complete your JAMB Registration
10. Reprint slip when the time comes to know your exam center and date
11. Write Exam