The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has removed its previous ban on the swapping of candidates’ registered phone numbers and changing of registered email addresses, allowing genuine candidates who have lost access to their credentials to update their records through a controlled process.
The new policy, which takes effect on Monday, September 21, 2026, is designed to ease the difficulties faced by candidates who can no longer access their registered SIM cards or recover their email accounts, particularly those seeking to use new numbers for subsequent Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) registration.
In a statement on Monday in Abuja, the Board’s Acting Director of Public Affairs, Dr Fabian Benjamin, said the decision followed the introduction of enhanced security measures, particularly stronger identity and biometric verification processes, which it said had provided additional safeguards against impersonation, fraud and unauthorised alteration of candidates’ records.
JAMB had previously prohibited SIM swapping and email changes as a security measure because of vulnerabilities associated with the processes.
Under the reviewed arrangement, candidates may now apply to change their GSM number, email address or both, but the service will be available only once to each candidate.
JAMB said the concession was intended to reduce the hardship and trauma associated with losing access to registered credentials while making the processes leading to tertiary education admission more seamless.
However, the Board warned that the new facility would operate under strict authentication procedures and urged candidates to use it only in genuine cases.
“The Board, however, stressed that the concession is subject to strict authentication procedures designed to prevent impersonation, fraud and unauthorised alteration of candidates’ records. The SIM swap and/or email change service shall be available only once,” the statement reads.
Dr Benjamin stated that the service will be available exclusively at designated JAMB Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres, including state offices where applicable.
Candidates seeking to use the facility are required to provide their new GSM number and/or email address, as applicable, as well as a duly executed court affidavit, scanned and ready for upload.
To access the service, candidates are required to log in to their e-Facility profile using their existing credentials, including their registered 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 before proceeding to a JAMB CBT centre.
At the centre, candidates will access the SIM Swap/eMail Change Quicklink, enter their profile code or existing GSM number, and retrieve their details.
The process also requires biometric verification before candidates can select the service they need, whether GSM number only, email address only, or both.
Candidates will subsequently enter their new GSM number and/or email address, upload the scanned court affidavit, and submit the request. A confirmation message will be displayed after successful completion.
The examination body urged candidates to patronise only designated CBT centres and warned them against using unauthorised channels or third parties to effect changes to their records.
The JAMB spokesperson explained that the reviewed policy was aimed at striking a balance between protecting candidates’ data and ensuring that genuine candidates were not unnecessarily disadvantaged by circumstances beyond their control.
He said the enhanced verification measures would allow the Board to provide a more candidate-friendly service without compromising the integrity and security of its records.
