JAMB clarifies 2016 varsity admission procedure, denies point system

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has made clarification on guidelines for this year’s admission into Nigerian universities.

It denied that the much talked about point system would be used for admissions into higher institutions in the country.

In a statement issued on Sunday, JAMB’s Head of Media and Information, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, said the point system being bandied around was an illustration made by the registrar, Prof. Dibu Ojerinde.

According to the statement, the Federal Government had approved the re-enforcement of admission guideline by law.

He said all tertiary institutions have consequently been directed to adhere strictly to the guidelines.

Benjamin said admission would be based on three pillars – merit, catchment area and educationally disadvantaged states.

“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.

“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 reads in part.

Benjamin said the 2016 admissions would not require the conduct of another test either written or oral as candidates would only present their Senior School Certificate Examination results/Advanced Level results for verification and clearing purposes.

He stated that WAEC, NECO and NBTE results or their equivalent were acceptable as matriculation requirements.

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.

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

The statement stated further, “Any candidate that 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 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.”