According to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), candidates for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination can now create their own profile codes and save them for use when registration opens.
The board made this disclosure in its Weekly Bulletin, which was published on Monday in Abuja.
According to JAMB, the development is a part of efforts to prevent bottlenecks from preventing smooth registration for the 2023 UTME.
The board added that the action was a part of preparing for the exercise, which is scheduled to begin in a few weeks.
It said: “Candidates are advised to get their National Identification Number (NIN), as it is a prerequisite for UTME and Direct Entry (DE) registrations.
“Candidates are required to use a unique mobile phone number for the process and such number can only be used by one candidate.
“To generate their profile codes, candidates are expected to send: NIN (one space) then their NIN number (11 digits number) by text (SMS) to either 55019 or 66019 from their personal GSM number.
“A profile code of 10 characters will be received by the candidate on the same telephone number,’’ it explained.
JAMB also advised candidates to note that the phone number used to send the text message to either of the two quick codes is automatically tied to their respective names.
This, it added, would also be used by the board in all communications relating to application, examination and admission.
The board also urged prospective candidates to heed its strict warning against the use and application of henna, also called “Lalle’’.
According to JAMB, this is to avoid experiencing biometric verification challenges, as it has been established that the application of henna on the fingers obstructs the process of biometric verification.
“Also, in an attempt by candidates to clean their fancy henna designs, they use chemicals that damage the whorls on their fingers, hence making biometric verification and authentication difficult, if not impossible,’’ it said.
JAMB further stated that its “no biometrics, no examination” policy remained effective, while urging candidates to desist from any act that could jeopardise their chances of taking the UTME.