The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has reiterated that the National Identification Number (NIN) is mandatory for all candidates registering for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
In its weekly bulletin released on Monday, February 24, 2025, JAMB emphasized that obtaining a NIN is the first step for any candidate aspiring to gain admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
Ogun State JAMB Coordinator, Hakeem AbdulHameed, reinforced this directive while addressing a delegation from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) Abeokuta Study Centre.
He stated: “All applicants must obtain their respective National Identification Number (NIN) to be eligible for all operational processes with the board, including admission to either regular or non-regular programmes of any institution of higher learning in Nigeria.”
AbdulHameed explained that NIN is required to generate a profile code—a prerequisite for UTME registration. Candidates must send “NIN” in capital letters, followed by a space and their eleven-digit identification number, via their registered phone number to JAMB’s USSD codes: 55019 or 66019.
He highlighted that this measure is designed to prevent fraud, ensure transparency, and protect candidates’ personal data from cybercriminals.
“The generation of a profile code, like the NIN, is also mandatory for registration. This is part of the measures put in place to safeguard candidates’ data against the unwholesome practices of some nefarious characters who go about pilfering personal data for sordid gains,” he added.
During the visit, the Director of NOUN Abeokuta Study Centre, Professor Oyekunle Oluwayemisi Adegboyega, commended JAMB’s efforts in ensuring data security. He remarked:
“JAMB has put a data security check in place to ensure a safe and retrievable database.”
He further emphasized that NOUN takes data integrity seriously, noting that the institution has never issued certificates to students with inconsistencies in their academic records.
Accompanying Professor Adegboyega were Noah Chiemezie, a Principal Assistant Registrar, and Mrs. Bukunolami Oyeniyi-Ayeleso, an Assistant Registrar.
With JAMB’s firm stance, it is now clear: no NIN, no UTME registration—a policy aimed at streamlining admissions and enhancing security in Nigeria’s education system.
