The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) says it will adopt “pin vending” for the 2017 UTME test. Dr. Fabian Benjamin, the head of media and information, speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday, November 2, in Lagos said that it would no longer use scratch cards, adding that intending candidates to get familiar with the new approach.

Benjamin said: “Candidates, wishing to sit for the 2017 examination, 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We are no longer going back to the use of scratch card; that method is outdated.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 Master card, online Quick Teller, mobile application and Bank Branch case/card.’’

Benjamin assured that the board was working hard to redress all challenges experienced by candidates during its 2016 UTME as it was preparing for the 2017 diet. He said all hands were on deck to ensure a hitch-free conduct of the examination across the country.

Professor Ishaq Oloyede, the registrar of JAMB, had earlier revealed that they scrapped the use of scratch cards for any transactions and services describing it as outdated. He said the board decided to do away with the method because of its consistent subjection to fraudulent practices.

A cross section of parents in the FCT have applauded the proposed legislation to extend JAMB results’ validity for a period of three years. The parents said on Wednesday in Abuja that the amendment would not only ease the financial burden on parents but also enable universities to upgrade their standard.

According to them, the legislation, if passed, will benefit both parents and candidates. One of the respondents, Dr Samson Olori, a Paediatric Surgeon, said the amendment would help to reduce the number of students that writing JAMB every session as well as the cost of conducting the examination. He noted that such amendment would also enable some universities to upgrade their standard and create a better environment for effective learning.