The Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board (JUPEB) is a national examinations body approved by the Federal Government of Nigeria in December 2013 but formally established in April 2014 by a consortium of 10 partner universities and the Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB), led by the University of Lagos (UNILAG).

The 10 partner universities are UNILAG, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), University of Ilorin, University of Benin (UNIBEN), University of Uyo, Federal University of Agriculture, Federal University of Technology, Owerri and Federal University of Technology, Akure.

The Vice Chancellors, who are the heads of the partner institutions, constitute the governing board of the organisation. Other members of the governing board are JAMB, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and a representative of the Minister of Education.

The board has the responsibility of conducting common and standard A-Level examinations for candidates who are seeking Direct Entry (DE) admissions into universities at the 200 Level in Nigerian and foreign universities.

The successful completion of the 2023 Examinations marked 10 years of an uninterrupted and successful journey in the actualisation of the visions and missions of JUPEB for which it was established.

To commemorate this milestone, some events have been lined up for the 10th anniversary celebration. Media briefing is the first in the series of events that span the four-day activities beginning today (yesterday), Monday, January 22, 2024.

On Tuesday, which is Day 2 (today), is for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) – Giving back to the society and we shall be visiting one of the physically-challenged homes in Lagos to show them love.

On Wednesday, which is Day 3, we have the Programme Directors’ Forum & Awards by 10.00 a.m. at FSS Auditorium, UNILAG. This event will bring all the programme directors from all our partners and affiliate universities together for an exciting moment of discussion and charting a way forward for another decade, a way of marking the 10th anniversary.

On Thursday, January 25, which is the grand finale of our activities, we have two sessions (morning session), anniversary lectures and awards at Tayo Aderinokun Auditorium, UNILAG by 10.00 a.m.

The Guest Speaker is JUPEB Pioneer Chairman and former Vice Chancellor of UNILAG, Prof. Rahamon A. Bello. We also have awards for our past chairmen and those who were instrumentals to the approval and establishment of JUPEB back in 2013.

The evening session is for dinner and awards night. The night will further recognise important dignitaries who were the founding fathers of JUPEB and an award will be given to our board members, deserving past programme directors and members of staff.

From the humble beginning of 2014 when it conducted its first examination where 2,935 candidates from four Universities sat for the maiden examination in August of that year, JUPEB has experienced a monumental spread across the geo-political zones of Nigeria from the South-West through to the South-East, South-South and the North-Central parts.

As of the last examination held in August 2023, JUBEP has a total of 104 partner and affiliate Universities that produce thousands of candidates for the examinations yearly. Most definitely, this figure is expected to rise considering the number of affiliation requests we receive every year.

JUPEB has filled an important gap and helped fulfil the ambitions of thousands of students who desired quality education through the window it provides. It can therefore be said that JUPEB has indeed met the expectations of the founding fathers.

One of the highlights of the achievements of JUPEB is also its positive influence on the structures of the partner and affiliate Universities. With their partnership and affiliation with JUPEB, these Institutions now have structured Foundation Schools through which candidates are trained and prepared for the examinations.

These foundation schools not only train these candidates but it is also an avenue for these universities running the JUPEB programme to have candidates who can be admitted into the 200 level via the Direct Entry mode through JAMB. These candidates are admitted into various programmes of various faculties in the universities across the country. Within its short life span, it is already defining the educational landscape of the nation.

It is a thing of great joy that over the years, the board has not deviated from the core values of integrity and honesty on which it was founded. This has gone in no small measure in ensuring the acceptability of its certificates not only by institutions in Nigeria but from all over the world, judging by the number of verification requests we receive weekly from the World Education Services.

Today, we have over 100 universities that are partners and affiliate institutions with JUPEB. They spread across the nation and the statistics in the geo-political zone are as follows: In the South East, we have 19 universities, South-South has 26, South West – 44, North Central – 11 and FCT – 4.

The board always aims at strengthening JUPEB programmes in Nigeria. Plans are in the pipeline to spread the tentacles of the examination body beyond the shores of Nigeria, considering the acceptability of its certificates as mentioned earlier. This is, however, to be taken in stages starting with the West African Region with our focus on the Anglophone countries. It needs to be added that we are not over-ambitious as these are part of the dreams of the founding fathers.

The governing board, headed by UNILAG Vice Chancellor, Prof. Folasade T. Ogunsola, has efficiently managed the affairs of the organisation. Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, JUPEB, Prof. Wale Okunuga, thanked members of the governing board for their dedication and always taking vital decisions in moving the board forward. He also thanked WAEC for its consistency at board meetings and unflinching support to the ideals of JUPEB.