The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has successfully completed the automation of its test item development process for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and other Board examinations. The innovation, known as the Remote Authoring and Moderation System (RAMS), marks the end of the manual method previously used in developing examination items.
The automation training, which concluded on Wednesday, 25th February 2026, at the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, brought together item writers to finalise the digitisation process ahead of the forthcoming UTME. A test run conducted immediately after the training confirmed the system’s efficiency and readiness. The initiative represents a significant breakthrough for a Computer-Based Test (CBT) examination that requires the development and management of millions of test items annually.
Speaking at the event, the Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, described the decade-long journey to full digital automation as rigorous but rewarding. He noted that RAMS symbolises the Board’s transition from a manual, paper-based system to a fully digital platform, eliminating challenges such as physical movement of documents, logistical constraints, identification of resource persons, and other bureaucratic bottlenecks associated with convening physical meetings.
According to the Registrar, the new system will make the process easier, more cost-effective, and more efficient. He added that automation enhances the integrity, security, and reliability of examination items, while also relieving authors of the stress of travel. “This is a win-win situation for both the Board and item writers,” he stated.
Prof. Oloyede also provided an update on the 2026 UTME registration exercise, revealing that over two million candidates had registered as at the time of the briefing. He assured the nation of the Board’s commitment to conducting a credible examination. In response to appeals from certain Nigerians for centres delisted for various infractions to be involved, he reiterated the Board’s zero tolerance for malpractice and non-compliance with its operational standards.
The Registrar further called on political leaders and well-meaning Nigerians to support the Board’s efforts by investing in the establishment of world-class CBT centres to enhance digital literacy nationwide. He commended the Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum, and Barr. Ahmed Raji (SAN), among others, for their exemplary support and recognition of the value of investing in education.
In her remarks, the Chairperson of the Forum of Vice-Chancellors of Federal Universities and Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Prof. Adenike Oladiji, described RAMS as a robust quality assurance mechanism. She noted that the system allows universities, as end-users of successful UTME candidates, to be actively involved in the processes that validate and certify prospective undergraduates. According to her, reliable item generation strengthens the credibility of the admission process.
Similarly, the Vice-Chancellors of Fountain University, Osun State, Prof. Olayinka Ramota Karim, and the African School of Economics, Abuja, Prof. Mahfouz Adedimeji, described the initiative as innovative and forward-looking. They observed that the technology enables item writers to work more conveniently and efficiently, significantly reducing the stress associated with examination item development.
The speakers unanimously commended JAMB for its foresight, courage, and commitment to deploying technology that allows examination questions to be generated securely from any location, while maintaining the highest standards of reliability and validity.
