JAMB switches to ‘pin vending’ for 2017 UTME

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board says it will adopt “pin vending” for the 2017 UTME test, advising intending candidates to get familiar with the new approach.

The board’s Head of Media and Information, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, told reporters on Wednesday in Lagos that it would no longer use scratch card.

He said, “Candidates, wishing to sit for the 2017 UTME, should start getting themselves familiar with the newly adopted process of pin vending by the board. We must make ourselves open to change like it is obtained in other climes.

“We are no longer going back to the use of scratch card; that method is outdated. Candidates wishing to register for the examination will just make online payment and get a pin with which they can upload their data.

“This new pin vending will be accessible through the options of web payment, ATM issued cards like Visa, Verve, and Mastercard, online Quick Teller, mobile application and Bank Branch case/card.’’

Benjamin assured Nigerians that the board was working hard to address all the challenges experienced by candidates during its 2016 UTME as it was preparing for the 2017 diet.

He said that all hands were on deck to ensure a hitch-free examination across the country.

“Preparations are on to ensure that all the technical hitches that manifested in the 2016 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination do not arise again. That is not to say that the examination will be completely hitch-free.

“But we are deploying resources to correct the ones identified already. In the course of the examination, should there be any other new challenges, we will act promptly,” Benjamin added.

The spokesman also said that the board would begin validation of UTME centres across the country soon.

“We shall be going round to the proposed centres to check the state of their facilities and also to ensure that such facilities could accommodate a minimum of 250 candidates,’’ he said