The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has lifted its previous restriction on the swapping of candidates’ registered GSM numbers and changing of registered email addresses, allowing candidates who have genuinely lost access to their credentials to update them through a controlled process.

The new arrangement, which takes effect from Monday, September 21, 2026, is particularly targeted at candidates who have lost access to their registered SIM cards and are unable to use the numbers for subsequent Unified
Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) registration, as well as those who can no longer recover their registered email accounts.

The Board in a statement signed by its Ag. Director, Public Affairs and Protocol (PAP), Dr. Fabian Benjamin, said the review followed the introduction of enhanced security measures, including stronger identity and biometric verification processes, which it said had made it possible to safely reconsider the earlier restriction.

JAMB had previously barred SIM swapping and email changes as a security measure because of vulnerabilities associated with unauthorised changes to candidates’ records.

Under the reviewed policy, however, candidates can now update their GSM numbers, email addresses or both, subject to strict authentication procedures designed to prevent impersonation, fraud and unauthorised alteration of records.

The Board stressed that the service would be available only once to each candidate.
It said the initiative was aimed at reducing the hardship faced by candidates who lose access to their registered credentials and making the processes leading to admission into tertiary institutions more seamless.

JAMB said the SIM swap and email change service would be available only at designated JAMB Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres, including Professional Test Centres (PTC) and Professional Registration Centres (PRC), as well as State Offices where applicable.

Candidates seeking to use the service are required to provide their new GSM number and/or email address and a duly executed Court Affidavit, which must be scanned and ready for upload.

According to the Board, candidates are required to first log into their e-Facility profile using their existing credentials, including their email address, Registration Number or Profile Code.

They are then expected to select “SIM Swap/eMail Change Payment” from the menu and pay the prescribed fee.

“After payment, candidates are to proceed to a designated JAMB CBT (PTC/PRC) Centre and access the SIM Swap/eMail Change Quicklink.
At the centre, they will enter their Profile Code or existing GSM number and click Fetch Details, after which they will undergo biometric verification.

“Candidates will then select the service required GSM Number only, Email Address only, or both GSM Number and Email Address.

“They are subsequently required to enter the new GSM number and/or email address and upload the scanned Court Affidavit before clicking Update to complete the process.

“A confirmation message will be displayed upon successful completion of the update.
JAMB advised candidates to use the service strictly for genuine cases and to patronise only designated CBT (PTC/PRC) centres.”

The Board said the reviewed policy reflected its commitment to balancing strong data security with candidate-friendly service delivery, ensuring that genuine candidates were not unnecessarily disadvantaged by circumstances beyond their control.