JAMB releases guideline for admission to varsities, others

FOLLOWING the cancellation of the Post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) by the Federal Government, the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released new admission guideline into universities, colleges of education and polytechnics in the country.

Head of Information of the Board, Dr Fabian Benjamin, in a statement on Sunday, said the guideline was arrived at, at a recent workshop convened by the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, on the modality for the 2016 admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

According to him, first was the presentation of the list of candidates, who qualify for screening into individual institution based on the three stipulated criteria.

He noted that the 2016 admissions would be conducted purely on the three existing admission pillars of merit, catchment area and educational underdeveloped states through the following process.

Benjamin explained that the list of candidates for screening should not demand another test in any form, either written, oral or electronic, as they  would have emerged successful from the UTME.

He added that the candidates were expected to present their Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination  (SSSCE) results/Advanced Level (AL) results for verification and clearing purposes, saying WAEC, NECO and NBTE results or equivalent are acceptable as matriculation requirements.

He said: “Each candidate is expected to have a minimum of five credits at SSSCE, including English,  Mathematics and any other three relevant subjects to his or her discipline.

“The list of qualified candidates awaiting SSCE/AL results can be kept in view, pending the release of their results.  Any candidate, who does not possess the requirements as listed above, is deemed to have failed the screening.

“Consideration of the recommended list as forwarded by JAMB should be completed within one month from the date of receipt of the list.

“Any institution that has a shortfall in the admitted candidates can make up for candidates from other departments on the institution’s list.

“Reasons for rejection of candidates on the list should be clearly stated, with proof provided alongside,” he stated.

The JAMB spokesman said the Federal Government approved the re-enforcement of admission guidelines recognised by law.

He clarified that this was not the point system widely circulated by media.

He said: “For the avoidance of doubt, the board wishes to state clearly that the point system is an illustration by the Registrar of JAMB of a few institutions that were using the point system to select candidates, while their colleagues were subjecting candidates to written test.

“These examples are contained in a paper presented by the Registrar, which is placed on our website and was adopted by the media wrongly as the 2016 guideline.

“This is imperative so that the general public will note the correct process. Be informed that government has directed that these guidelines should be strictly adhered to without any alterations,” he said.