Losing access to your registered phone number or email address during the admission process often feels like a nightmare. For years, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) enforced a strict ban on altering these critical contact details. This rigid policy left thousands of candidates stranded. If your phone was stolen or your email password vanished, your admission journey practically ended. Today, that narrative changes completely as JAMB removes ban on SIM swap and change of email address.
In a massive relief for tertiary admission seekers nationwide, JAMB removes ban on SIM swap and change of email address. The board officially announced this critical policy reversal on September 21, 2026. This new directive allows legitimate candidates to recover their locked profiles securely.
However, this is not an open invitation to change your details recklessly. The board instituted a highly structured, highly secure procedure to prevent profile hijacking. You must follow strict legal and biometric protocols. In this comprehensive guide, we will break down the entire policy update. We will explore the mandatory requirements, highlight the approved venues, and provide a clear, step-by-step tutorial on how to update your details safely.
Why JAMB Removes Ban on SIM Swap and Change of Email Address Now
To understand this new procedure, you must first understand why the ban existed initially. The examination board originally blocked these changes to combat aggressive admission fraud. Previously, cybercafé operators and admission racketeers hijacked candidate profiles by secretly changing the linked phone numbers. Once they controlled the profile, they extorted candidates or manipulated their Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) data.
To kill this fraud completely, JAMB locked all contact details permanently. However, this blanket ban created severe collateral damage. Genuine candidates suffered massively. A simple phone theft meant a student could no longer receive admission alerts or accept a university offer via SMS.
Following intense public feedback, the board reevaluated the situation. The revised policy reflects JAMB’s commitment to striking a perfect balance between tight data security and candidate-friendly service delivery. When JAMB removes ban on SIM swap and change of email address, it ensures that genuine candidates do not suffer unnecessary setbacks in their pursuit of tertiary education. The new framework ensures that circumstances beyond a candidate’s control do not destroy their academic dreams.
Crucial Limitations You Must Know Before Applying
The board did not simply open a free-for-all editing portal. They placed massive restrictions on this new service. You must understand these limitations before you initiate any changes.
First, this service is strictly a one-time opportunity. You can only use the SIM swap or email change facility exactly once on the JAMB portal. Therefore, you must ensure your new phone number and email address are highly secure. If you lose your new phone number after completing this process, the board will not grant you a second chance.
Second, you cannot process this change remotely. No one can sit in their bedroom and change their JAMB email address. You absolutely cannot use a standard cybercafé, unauthorised agents, or a third-party computer center. The board restricted this specific service exclusively to designated JAMB Computer-Based Test (CBT) Professional Testing Centres (PTC), Professional Registration Centres (PRC), and official JAMB State Offices.
Mandatory Requirements for the JAMB SIM Swap and Email Change
You cannot simply walk into a JAMB office and demand a phone number change. The system requires strict authentication. You must gather specific documents and information before starting the process.
Prepare the following items carefully:
- Your Login Credentials: You need your existing JAMB Registration Number, Profile Code, or existing email address to log into the e-Facility profile.
- An Active New Contact: You must present a brand new, highly active GSM number or a freshly created email address. Ensure you memorize the passwords perfectly.
- A Duly Executed Court Affidavit: This is the most critical legal requirement. Affected candidates must visit a High Court and obtain an affidavit supporting their request for a SIM swap or email change. You must have this document scanned and ready for upload.
- Processing Fee Funds: The board charges a prescribed penalty fee for this service. You must possess enough funds to process this payment online via the e-Facility portal.
- Your Physical Presence: You must be physically present at the JAMB center. The process requires live biometric verification to verify your identity.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Change Your Details After JAMB Removes Ban on SIM Swap and Change of Email Address
The recovery process involves two distinct phases. First, you handle the payment online. Second, you complete the physical verification and data upload at an approved center. Follow these systematic steps to regain access to your profile without errors.
Step 1: Secure Your Court Affidavit
Do not attempt any online steps until you hold a physical court affidavit. Visit the nearest High Court. Obtain an affidavit clearly supporting your request for a SIM swap or email change due to lost access. Scan this affidavit clearly into a digital format on your mobile phone or flash drive.
Step 2: Log Into Your JAMB e-Facility Portal
Open a secure web browser. Log in to your JAMB e-Facility portal. Sign in using your existing email address, Registration Number, or Profile Code.
Step 3: Navigate to the Penalties Menu
Once your dashboard loads, look closely at the main menu. Locate and select the tab labeled “Penalties”. A drop-down menu will appear.
Step 4: Select the Payment Option
From the Penalties menu, select the specific option titled “SIM Swap/Email Change Penalty Payment” or “SIM Swap/eMail Change Payment”.
Step 5: Pay the Prescribed Fee
Proceed to the integrated payment gateway. Pay the prescribed processing fee. You will need this evidence of payment for the next phase.
Step 6: Visit an Accredited JAMB Office
After making the payment, proceed physically to the nearest designated JAMB PTC/PRC centre or JAMB State Office to complete the process. Remember, unauthorized cybercafés cannot execute this task.
Step 7: Access the Dedicated Quicklink
At the centre, access the “SIM Swap/eMail Change Quicklink”. Enter your unique Profile Code or your existing registered GSM number into the system and click “Fetch Details”.
Step 8: Undergo Biometric Verification
This step guarantees absolute security. You will undergo strict biometric verification as part of the process. JAMB officials will use your biometric data to verify your identity before allowing any changes. If the authentication fails, the request will not be approved despite payment.
Step 9: Select Your Required Service and Upload Documents
After successful biometric authentication, select the exact service you need. You can choose “GSM Number only”, “Email Address only”, or “Both GSM Number and Email Address”. Type in your new GSM number and/or email address carefully. Next, upload the scanned copy of the court affidavit.
Step 10: Complete the Update
Review all the new details one final time. Click the “Update” button to finalize the process. If everything is accurate, a confirmation message will be displayed indicating successful completion. Your profile is now securely linked to your new contact details.
Common Mistakes Candidates Must Avoid
Even with clear instructions, candidates often make critical errors during data modifications. Protect your admission journey by avoiding these common pitfalls.
First, do not rush the data entry phase. When you type in your new email address, ensure it does not contain typos. If you misspell your new email during the update, you will permanently lock yourself out again. Remember, the board offers this service only once.
Second, do not patronize online scammers. Because JAMB removes ban on SIM swap and change of email address, fraudsters now advertise fake remote services on social media. The Board heavily warned candidates not to patronise unauthorised centres, agents, or cybercafés offering these services. The core architecture requires strict biometric authentication at an approved center before any requested change can be approved.
Third, ensure your new SIM card is fully active. Before you submit a request, you must confirm that your new GSM number is active and your new email address is fully accessible. If you link a dormant line, you will not receive future communications regarding admissions and other vital matters.
The Broader Impact on the 2026/2027 Admission Cycle
This timely policy update arrives at a crucial moment. Candidates currently need their linked contacts to monitor their profiles on the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS).
Without access to their registered phone numbers or emails, thousands of students risked losing their hard-earned admission slots simply because they could not retrieve their login credentials or receive admission SMS alerts.
By lifting this ban, the board actively secures the academic future of these students. It streamlines the communication process and reinforces the board’s commitment to ensuring a smooth and highly secure admission process for all candidates.
Conclusion: Take Action Immediately
The news that JAMB removes ban on SIM swap and change of email address is a massive victory for admission seekers nationwide. The board has successfully provided a secure, legally backed pathway to recover lost profiles. While the process demands physical effort, court affidavits, and strict biometric checks, these hurdles exist entirely for your protection.
Do not let a lost phone or a forgotten password destroy your tertiary education plans. Act immediately. Secure your new SIM card, test your new email login, and head to the High Court for your affidavit. Follow the digital payment steps carefully and visit an accredited JAMB center to reclaim your profile.
Have you experienced a locked JAMB profile recently due to a stolen phone or lost email access? Will you be visiting a designated CBT center this week to utilize this new policy update? Share your experiences, ask your burning questions, and let us know your intended university in the comments section below! Ensure you share this critical guide with your study groups and friends so no one misses their admission alerts this year!
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