Every student in Nigeria’s education system must go through several challenging phases before being admitted to a higher education school. Exams are common in all countries, but what distinguishes Nigeria’s system are the extra stages and blunders that can cost a candidate years of delay.
One of the most significant challenges confronting JAMB candidates nowadays is a name mismatch between the information on their NIN and the one used for JAMB registration. If not fixed on time, this can prevent admission, cause problems with NYSC in the future, and possibly jeopardize your university clearance.
Unfortunately, most students are unaware of how serious this issue can be until they are actively involved in it. Some register using names that do not match their NIN slip, while others allow café agents to register for them using incorrect information. Now, if your name on JAMB does not match your NIN, you will have problems with JAMB, your school, or even during NYSC registration.
In this article, I’ll walk you through the real-life steps for changing your name on JAMB with NIN mismatch, including how much it will cost and how to do it quickly without wasting time or money.
Learn more about JAMB
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is Nigeria’s official exam authority that administers university, polytechnic, and college admission exams. Since its inception in 1978, JAMB has been in charge of administering the UTME exam and regulating how students access higher education.
JAMB has adopted new criteria in recent years to combat fraud, such as tying your NIN to your profile, validating your phone number, and employing biometric verification. As a result, your information on JAMB must exactly match what is on your NIN slip, including your name, date of birth, and even gender. If there is a discrepancy, JAMB will halt or delay your admission process until you resolve it.
How To Change Your JAMB Name Due to NIN Mismatch
Now, can someone change their name on JAMB if it does not match their NIN? The simple answer is yes, however the procedure is not free and can be stressful if you don’t follow the proper processes or visit the correct JAMB office.
From our Truethenet.com team experience, we visited numerous JAMB offices across Nigeria and this is what we discovered:
JAMB personnel would tell you that it is possible to change your name, particularly if your NIN and JAMB have previously been linked. There are still ways around it if you follow the legal process and prepare your documentation.
Here are the steps to follow:
Step 1: Prepare Your NIN Slip.
Ensure you have the correct NIN slip that carries your whole name in the proper format (surname, first name, middle name). Before submitting to JAMB, rectify any incorrect NIN data at the NIMC office.
Step 2: Visit a court to obtain an affidavit.
You would need to file an affidavit for name correction with any High Court or Magistrate Court in your area. The cost ranges from ₦1,000 to ₦3,000, depending on region.
The affidavit will say that you are the same person and are rectifying a name error.
Step 3: Visit the JAMB Office.
Visit any closest JAMB office with the following:
- Original NIN slip
- Affidavit for name correction
- JAMB printout or profile details
- Valid ID (e.g. school ID, national ID, voter’s card)
Step 4: Pay for Name Correction.
JAMB requires a ₦2,500 fee for name correction procedure. This can be paid in person at the JAMB office or online, depending on how they function in your state and make sure you’re with your ATM card also.
Step 5: Send the “REQUERY” SMS.
Following payment, the official will request that you transmit REQUERY via SMS to 55019 or 66019 using the phone number associated with your JAMB profile.
This step confirms that your NIN and JAMB profile are active and available for updates.
Step 6: Wait for confirmation.
If the SMS is successful, your name will be modified in the JAMB system to reflect the information on your NIN.
You will be able to reprint your JAMB slip, check your CAPS, and utilize your profile without any hassles.
Conclusion
Correcting your name on JAMB due to a mismatch with NIN is not an easy task, and many people continue to suffer as a result of this lack of clarity.
Most times, JAMB would deny name changes unless you follow the official legal path and provide all relevant documents such as the affidavit, NIN slip, and payment receipt.
The truth is that even a minor error, such as a name mismatch, might jeopardize your admission or cause you to be delayed for a year. That is why you should always double-check your NIN data before registering for JAMB.
Good luck, and please share this with anyone who is struggling with the same issue.
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