JAMB mandates UTME for direct entry candidates to ensure A’level certificates’ validity

JAMB mandates UTME for direct entry candidates to ensure A’level certificates’ validity

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that Direct Entry (DE) candidates seeking admission to Nigerian universities will now be required to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) along with other candidates.

JAMB stated that this new policy aims to ensure that DE candidates can validate their A-level certificates.

The decision was revealed in a statement released by Dr Fabian Benjamin, the board’s Head of Public Affairs and Protocol, following a management committee meeting held in Abuja on Thursday. The meeting was convened to address the recent crisis during the 2023 DE registration process.

Benjamin emphasized that the policy change is intended to address loopholes that have led to abuses in the DE admission processes. He stated that the board is committed to promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance in the nation’s education sector.

He further highlighted the board’s efforts to revamp the conduct of public examinations in Nigeria. Benjamin noted that the apparent crisis arose due to the implementation of new processes aimed at curbing infractions in the admission value chain, taking into account Nigeria’s unique circumstances.

Additionally, Benjamin announced that JAMB has remitted N2 billion as an interim surplus for the 2023 operating year, with further remittances to be made upon completion of the board’s operations for the year. This is in line with the commitment of the Board Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, to utilize technology and discipline to manage the board’s affairs.

Since assuming office, Prof. Oloyede has overseen the remittance of over N55 billion to the Federal Government coffers, a substantial increase compared to the less than N60 million remitted by the board in its 38 years of existence prior to his appointment.

Under Prof. Oloyede’s leadership, the board has embraced a policy of transparency and accountability, resulting in significant financial gains. For example, the board now saves N1.2 billion annually through the direct execution of its processes and procedures, in contrast to the previous amount paid to service providers. The board has also recovered over N1.2 billion in cash and estates located in prime areas of Abuja in 2016.

These measures have substantially increased the board’s contributions to the national treasury. In its first year under Prof. Oloyede, JAMB remitted N7.8 billion and has cumulatively contributed over N27 billion.

These amounts do not include the 30% reduction in the application fee (totalling N10.8 billion over four years since the reduction), the Capital Fund (N11 billion, including N6 billion yet to be committed), Annual Awards/Grants to tertiary institutions for Capital Projects (N1 billion), and the Special Staff Welfare Scheme (N2 billion). Thus, the cumulative surplus over the last six years is estimated at approximately N54 billion.

NAN