By Ngozi Nwankwo
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has reviewed its policy on the swapping of candidates’ registered GSM numbers and changing of registered email addresses, approving a controlled process for candidates who have genuinely lost access to their SIM cards or email accounts.
The Board had previously barred SIM swapping and email changes as a security measure in response to vulnerabilities associated with such changes. However, following the introduction of enhanced security measures, particularly stronger identity and biometric verification processes, JAMB has reviewed the policy.
In a statement issued by the JAMB spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, on Monday, the Board said the new arrangement, which takes effect on Monday, September 21, 2026, would enable candidates who have lost access to their registered SIM numbers, particularly those unable to use them for registration for subsequent Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) exercises.
It will also assist candidates whose registered email accounts can no longer be recovered to update their details through a secure and controlled process.
The initiative, according to the Board, is aimed at reducing the hardship associated with the loss of access to candidates’ registered credentials and making the processes leading to tertiary education admission more seamless.
JAMB, however, stressed that the concession would be subject to strict authentication procedures designed to prevent impersonation, fraud and unauthorised alteration of candidates’ records.
It added that the SIM swap and/or email change service would be available only once to each candidate.
The Board said the service would be available only at designated JAMB Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centres, including State Offices where applicable.
