FG Budgets ₦1.3bn for JAMB CBT and ICT Infrastructure Ahead of 2026 UTME

The Federal Government has proposed an allocation of over ₦1.3 billion in the 2026 budget to strengthen the infrastructure of Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board Computer-Based Test centres across Nigeria.

Details contained in the 2026 Appropriation Bill show that the funding covers the construction, furnishing, renovation, and equipping of CBT and ICT facilities in multiple states as part of ongoing capital projects aimed at improving examination delivery and digital capacity.

The allocation, which totals ₦1,326,850,000, is distributed across six key projects designed to enhance JAMB’s CBT operations and ICT readiness ahead of future examination cycles.

One of the largest components of the budget is ₦420 million earmarked for the construction and equipping of standard ICT centres in Igbotako, Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State. Another ₦336.7 million is allocated for the supply of computers and internet services for CBT centres in Eric Moore and the ICT facility at Epe Grammar School in Lagos.

In Rivers State, ₦280 million is set aside for the construction and furnishing of a JAMB CBT centre in Emohua Local Government Area. Gombe State is also included, with ₦175 million budgeted for the construction and equipping of an ICT and JAMB centre in Balanga Local Government Area.

The budget further provides ₦87.15 million for the renovation and upgrade of ICT infrastructure used for JAMB registration processes to improve system reliability during peak registration and examination periods. In Abia State, ₦28 million is allocated for the construction and furnishing of the Oloko JAMB CBT centre in Ikwuano Local Government Area.

The increased investment in CBT infrastructure follows widespread concerns raised during the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, which experienced technical glitches, operational challenges, and disruptions that affected candidates in hundreds of centres. Reports indicated that nearly 380,000 candidates encountered issues ranging from system failures to logistical inconveniences, including being assigned examination centres far from their chosen locations.

In response to these challenges, JAMB began accrediting 848 CBT centres nationwide in preparation for the 2026 UTME while also delisting centres that failed to meet required technical standards. Sanctions were recommended for centres found to have violated examination guidelines as part of efforts to restore confidence in the system.

Computer-based testing is increasingly adopted globally for its ability to reduce examination malpractice, enhance efficiency, and shorten result processing time. Nigeria has also mandated the transition of major national examinations, including WAEC and NECO, to CBT by 2026 to improve examination integrity and align with international standards.

However, stakeholders have raised concerns about the country’s digital readiness for large-scale CBT implementation. Challenges such as unreliable electricity supply, poor internet connectivity, and limited access to computers in rural and public schools remain significant obstacles that could widen educational inequality if not addressed alongside the rollout.

Educators and students have also expressed the need for improved computer literacy and technical support to reduce anxiety and disadvantages associated with system failures during examinations.

The proposed budget allocation signals a renewed effort by the Federal Government to address these gaps by strengthening CBT infrastructure and ICT capacity to ensure smoother examination experiences for candidates across the country.