JAMB Calls for Formal Complaints Over Admission Denials Despite Meeting UTME Requirements
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has issued a directive to parents and candidates, urging them to formally raise complaints if they are confident in their Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination scores but are denied admission into tertiary institutions. This announcement was made by the Registrar, Ishaq Oloyede, during an appearance on the Nigerian Television Authority programme, Good Morning Nigeria.
Registrar Criticizes Reliance on Illegal Admission Routes
Oloyede strongly criticized the persistent patronage of unlawful admission practices by some parents, attributing this behavior to a deep-seated culture of bypassing due process. He emphasized that many parents continue to seek personal interventions, despite the automated nature of the admission system through the Central Admission Processing System.
"People are so daring, and the parents, because they have climbed the ladder to illegality, they believe there is no other way," Oloyede stated. He added that he often receives requests for help, but the system operates independently, leading to admissions without his direct involvement.
CAPS Credited with Enhancing Admission Transparency
The registrar highlighted the significant role of CAPS in improving fairness and accountability within the admission process. According to Oloyede, this platform has drastically reduced irregularities since its implementation in 2017, with no major issues reported since then. He described CAPS as a reliable tool that handles admissions efficiently without external interference.
"If you find anybody, if you are sure of yourself, you have a score, and this is the UTME score of my child, and you know that you ought to be admitted and you are not admitted, protest to us because CAPS has made everything easy," he advised during the broadcast.
JAMB Intensifies Verification for Direct Entry and Foreign Qualifications
Oloyede also disclosed that the board has ramped up scrutiny of direct entry qualifications, making it increasingly difficult for candidates to submit falsified results. He noted a decline in direct entry applications since 2023 due to thorough supervision, with 77 cases of forgery caught this year alone.
"JUPEB, IJMB and all the rest, we check at the point of entry and we made it impossible for them to forge, but there are still degrees," he explained. Additionally, JAMB now verifies foreign certificates directly with awarding institutions, uncovering several cases where degrees were falsely presented.
The registrar maintained that the board is committed to safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria's admission process while ensuring deserving candidates are treated fairly. This comprehensive approach aims to eliminate fraud and promote transparency in higher education admissions.
