JAMB says point system in circulation not criteria for admission

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) says the point system copied from its website as criteria for admission into tertiary institutions in the country and currently circulating was a mere illustration.

This is contained in a statement by the board’s Head, Media and Information, Dr Fabian Benjamin and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos.

It said that on the contrary, the Federal Government had approved the re-enforcement of admission guideline as recognised by law.

According to the statement the admission of candidates into tertiary institutions will be based purely on three pillars namely, merit, catchment and educationally less developed states.

It said that the point system that was wrongfully copied from the board’s website and currently being circulated by some media was used for illustration by the Registrar, Prof. Dibu Ojerinde.

“Sequel to the recent workshop convened by the Minister of Education on the modality for 2016 admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria, the Federal Government approved the re-enforcement of admissions guideline recognised by law.

“This is following the cancellation of the post Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

“This is not the point system as widely circulated in some media.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the board wishes to state clearly that the point system is an illustration by the Registrar of JAMB.

“It is meant to demonstrate how a few institutions were using the point system to select candidates while some of their counterparts were subjecting candidates to written test.

“The illustrations are contained in a paper presented by the registrar and placed on our website and was adopted by the media wrongly as the 2016 guideline for admission,’’ the statement said.

It added that the 2016 admissions will be conducted purely on the three existing admission pillars of merit, catchment area and educationally less developed states through the following process.

According to the statement, firstly, a list of candidates who qualified for screening into individual institutions based on the three stipulated criteria will be presented.

It added that such screening did not demand for another test in any form written, oral or electronic.

According to the statement, candidates are to present their Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) results/Advanced Level (AL) results for verification and clearing purposes.

It noted that WAEC, NECO and NBTE results or its equivalent were acceptable as matriculation requirements.

The statement added that each candidate was expected to have a minimum of five credits at SSCE, including English, Mathematics and any other three relevant subjects to his or her discipline.

It said that the list of qualified candidates awaiting SSCE/AL results could be kept in view pending the release of their results.

“Any candidate that does not possess the requirements as listed above is deemed to have failed the screening.

“Consideration of the recommended list as forward 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 could make-up for candidates from other departments on the institutions list.

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

“This is imperative so that the general public will note the correct process,’’ the statement said.

It said that the government had directed that the guidelines must be strictly adhered to without any alterations.