The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has lifted its ban on changing registered phone numbers and email addresses, allowing candidates who have lost access to their credentials to update their records under a new verification process.
The policy takes effect from Monday, September 21, 2026, and is aimed at candidates who can no longer access their registered SIM cards or recover their email accounts, particularly those preparing for subsequent Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination registrations.
JAMB’s Acting Director of Public Affairs, Fabian Benjamin, announced the development in Abuja on Monday, saying the decision followed the introduction of stronger identity and biometric verification measures.
According to the board, the enhanced security measures are designed to reduce the risk of impersonation, fraud and unauthorised changes to candidates’ records.
Under the new arrangement, candidates can apply to change their registered GSM number, email address or both. However, the service can only be used once by each candidate.
Benjamin said the revised policy was introduced to ease the difficulties faced by genuine candidates who lose access to their registered credentials while maintaining the security of JAMB’s records.
The service is available only at designated JAMB Computer-Based Test centres, including state offices where applicable.
Candidates seeking a SIM swap or email change must provide their new phone number and/or email address and submit a duly executed court affidavit, which must be scanned and ready for upload.
To begin the process, candidates must log into their JAMB e-Facility profile using their existing credentials, including their registered email address, registration number or profile code.
They are then required to select “SIM Swap/eMail Change Payment” from the menu and pay the prescribed fee before visiting a designated CBT centre.
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At the centre, candidates will use the SIM Swap/eMail Change Quicklink, enter their profile code or existing GSM number and retrieve their details.
Biometric verification will then be conducted before the candidate selects the required service, GSM number change, email change or both.
The candidate will enter the new details, upload the scanned court affidavit and submit the request. A confirmation message will be displayed once the process is successfully completed.
JAMB urged candidates to use only designated CBT centres and warned against engaging unauthorised agents or third parties to alter their records.
The board said the revised arrangement was intended to balance the protection of candidates’ personal information with the need to ensure that genuine candidates are not disadvantaged after losing access to their registered phone numbers or email accounts.
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Cecilia Attah is a tech analyst with a degree from Benue State University. She covers tech news and startups at TechRegard with a focus on how technology is transforming Africa and shaping the global landscape.
