The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has introduced an innovative solution for candidates facing difficulties retrieving lost SIM cards linked to previous registrations. This development comes ahead of the highly anticipated 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE) registration, set to begin this Friday, 31 January.
The announcement was made by JAMB on Thursday through a post on its official social media platform, X, stating that the new feature is available at all Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres nationwide. According to the exam body, candidates who find themselves in this predicament can now fill out a provided template at any CBT centre to access the service, facilitating a smoother registration process.
“Good news for those who cannot retrieve their previously used but lost SIM cards. A feature is now available at all CBT centres to address your case,” JAMB wrote in the announcement. “Kindly fill the template to access this service for the upcoming UTME/DE registration. Note that SIM SWAP is still not available.”
An Innovation to Ease Registration
JAMB’s new initiative targets an issue that has often left prospective students frustrated in past registration periods. Many candidates, especially those using old or abandoned mobile numbers, have struggled with the process when they lost access to the SIM cards previously linked to their JAMB registration.
While the SIM Swap option remains unavailable, this new feature seeks to mitigate the impact of lost SIM cards. Instead of resorting to complex procedures or extended delays, candidates now have a clear path to resolve registration issues and move forward with their academic pursuits.
One candidate, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, expressed relief at the introduction of this feature, describing it as a step in the right direction. “I’ve been stressing over the lost SIM card for weeks,” they said. “This new feature is a huge relief because I was worried I might miss the registration window altogether.”
Upcoming Registration Deadlines
This update comes just days before the 2025 UTME/DE registration opens, adding to the anticipation surrounding the exam. Candidates will be able to begin registering for the exams on Friday, 31 January, with the window closing on 8 March. Registration for Direct Entry candidates will follow, starting on 10 March and concluding on 7 April.
In a bid to provide further clarity, JAMB also outlined the costs associated with the upcoming registrations. For the 2025 UTME, candidates will be required to pay a total of ₦7,200 if they are not opting for the mock exam, or ₦8,700 if they are participating in the mock examination. The Direct Entry registration fee is set at ₦5,700.
A breakdown of the fees, provided by JAMB, is as follows:
- UTME with Mock: ₦8,700
- UTME without Mock: ₦7,200
- Mock Trial Testing for Future Candidates: ₦3,500
- Direct Entry (DE): ₦5,700
Additional charges include:
- UTME/DE Application Fee: ₦3,500
- Reading Text: ₦1,000
- CBT Centre Registration Service Charge: ₦700
- CBT Centre UTME Service Charge: ₦1,500
- CBT Mock Service Charge: ₦1,500
- Bank Charges: ₦500
- CBT Mock-UTME Centre Service Charge: ₦1,500
These comprehensive charges are designed to cover the various stages of registration, from the initial application to the mock exams, ensuring that the process remains structured and accessible.
A Critical Move Ahead of UTME/DE Registration
As JAMB prepares for the start of this year’s registration process, candidates have welcomed the new feature as an indication of the exam body’s responsiveness to their needs. With the evolving challenges presented by mobile technology, including issues like SIM card loss, JAMB’s proactive approach highlights its commitment to ensuring a smooth and fair registration experience for all.
For many, especially those relying on outdated or secondary SIM cards, this update could make all the difference. The added convenience of filling out a simple template to regain access to their registration details is expected to reduce the backlog of issues that candidates may have previously faced.
It remains to be seen how effectively this new feature will function in the long term, but it represents a much-needed improvement for candidates who have previously encountered roadblocks due to lost or inaccessible SIM cards.
