JAMB’s recent
policies and impacts on youths
Oloyede
policies and impacts on youths
Uji ABDULLAHI ILIYASU looks at the recent developments in the
Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), especially its national
identification number (NIN) requirements and consequent suspension due to
limited time space, and reports that JAMB’s impact on the youth is far
reaching.
Background
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) which oversees
the common entrance examination to the nation’s higher institutions of learning
is undoubtedly a household name in the country. Nigerian youngsters whose
ambitions are tied to scholarly exploits in future ensure that JAMB news is of
utmost important to them.
the common entrance examination to the nation’s higher institutions of learning
is undoubtedly a household name in the country. Nigerian youngsters whose
ambitions are tied to scholarly exploits in future ensure that JAMB news is of
utmost important to them.
The ritual of buying forms, registering and sitting for the Unified
Tertiary Matriculation Examinations and later, post-UTME screening, are all
important news not to miss.
Tertiary Matriculation Examinations and later, post-UTME screening, are all
important news not to miss.
When JAMB directed that National Identification Number (NIN) was a pre-requisite
for 2020 UTME, many Nigerian youths, obvious of the limited time space between
acquiring NIN and sitting for UTME, were thrown off balance. They thus jostled
and scrambled for the number at the National Identity Management Commission
(NIMC) offices across the country for registration in order to beat the
deadline.
for 2020 UTME, many Nigerian youths, obvious of the limited time space between
acquiring NIN and sitting for UTME, were thrown off balance. They thus jostled
and scrambled for the number at the National Identity Management Commission
(NIMC) offices across the country for registration in order to beat the
deadline.
JAMB registrar had directed that all prospective UTME candidates
register and get their national identification number (NIN) from National
Identity Management Commission (NIMC) as a prerequisite for registration.
However, efforts to get this done before the deadline proved herculean due to
Nigerian factor or the limited time space or inadequate staff and facilities at
MIMC. Because of this, there were public outcry by prospective candidates and
parents of the need to extend the registration period or for JAMB to altogether
give up the idea of NIN requirement for 2020.
register and get their national identification number (NIN) from National
Identity Management Commission (NIMC) as a prerequisite for registration.
However, efforts to get this done before the deadline proved herculean due to
Nigerian factor or the limited time space or inadequate staff and facilities at
MIMC. Because of this, there were public outcry by prospective candidates and
parents of the need to extend the registration period or for JAMB to altogether
give up the idea of NIN requirement for 2020.
After weighing the genuineness of the public complaints, the
registrar suspended the NIN registration until 2021.
registrar suspended the NIN registration until 2021.
Centre accreditation
Earlier the Joint Admissions and Matriculation
Board said over 650 Computer Based Test (CBT) centres had so far been
accredited for its upcoming 2020 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination
(UTME). The board thus fixed this year’s examination to commence from March 14
to April 4, while an optional mock examination for candidates was scheduled for
February 18.
Board said over 650 Computer Based Test (CBT) centres had so far been
accredited for its upcoming 2020 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination
(UTME). The board thus fixed this year’s examination to commence from March 14
to April 4, while an optional mock examination for candidates was scheduled for
February 18.
Also, the board had said that it would commence
the sales of its registration documents from January 13 to February 17.
the sales of its registration documents from January 13 to February 17.
The head of media and information of the board,
Dr Fabian Benjamin, told journalists in Lagos that arrangements for the
commencement of the sales of the documents nationwide had been concluded.
Dr Fabian Benjamin, told journalists in Lagos that arrangements for the
commencement of the sales of the documents nationwide had been concluded.
“We are set to go. Logistics have been put in
place to ensure a smooth process. Like you may know, over 650 CBT centres have
been accredited for this year’s examination and the board expects nothing short
of the best practices.
place to ensure a smooth process. Like you may know, over 650 CBT centres have
been accredited for this year’s examination and the board expects nothing short
of the best practices.
“We have clearly defined the process, just like
we have also put mechanism in place that will address any challenge or
challenges that may arise before, during and even after the examination.
we have also put mechanism in place that will address any challenge or
challenges that may arise before, during and even after the examination.
“We also want to emphasize the fact that there
is no going back on the use of the National Identification Number (NIN), for
the acquisition of the registration documents by prospective candidates,”
Benjamin said.
is no going back on the use of the National Identification Number (NIN), for
the acquisition of the registration documents by prospective candidates,”
Benjamin said.
He urged candidates seeking to sit for this
year’s UTME and who are yet to acquire the NIN to intensify efforts to do so in
order to participate in the examination.
year’s UTME and who are yet to acquire the NIN to intensify efforts to do so in
order to participate in the examination.
“My advice to the candidates ahead of the
registration is to ensure that they seek advice or help from officials of the
board. They should not involve third parties. They should always ensure too
that they secure their personal data.
registration is to ensure that they seek advice or help from officials of the
board. They should not involve third parties. They should always ensure too
that they secure their personal data.
“They should not disclose it to anyone, not
even the JAMB officials, because doing so could lead to mutilation of their
records and other implications that could affect them much later in life.
even the JAMB officials, because doing so could lead to mutilation of their
records and other implications that could affect them much later in life.
“The board also wishes to state that the sale
of Direct Entry forms closes same day as the UTME forms. There will be no
extension.”
of Direct Entry forms closes same day as the UTME forms. There will be no
extension.”
JAMB
under fire
The compulsory requirement for NIN in relation
to the limited timeframe between its acquisition and sitting for UTME had
attracted criticisms from stakeholders, thus many prominent stakeholders
advised the Board to suspend the compulsory
requirement the National Identification Number (NIN).
to the limited timeframe between its acquisition and sitting for UTME had
attracted criticisms from stakeholders, thus many prominent stakeholders
advised the Board to suspend the compulsory
requirement the National Identification Number (NIN).
Many believed that the suspension would provide
enough capacity to cope with the volume of persons seeking registration within
the very short time limit given by JAMB.
enough capacity to cope with the volume of persons seeking registration within
the very short time limit given by JAMB.
The NIN suspension
JAMB, under pressure, has suspended the use of
NIN for registration for the 2020 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination
(UTME).
NIN for registration for the 2020 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination
(UTME).
The registrar of JAMB, Professor Is’haq
Oloyede, made this known while speaking to newsmen in Abuja.
Oloyede, made this known while speaking to newsmen in Abuja.
He said the decision was made to provide more
time for candidates to get their national identification numbers.
time for candidates to get their national identification numbers.
Oloyede also stated that the suspension was to
address the technical challenges experienced at some centres, adding that the
exam body would consider the use of NIN for 2021 examinations.
address the technical challenges experienced at some centres, adding that the
exam body would consider the use of NIN for 2021 examinations.
“We also decided to suspend that prerequisite
based on some technical issues on ground,” he said.
based on some technical issues on ground,” he said.
“We came
to a decision yesterday and decided that we will suspend the use of NIN as a
prerequisite for the 2020 UTME and Direct Entry (DE) registration until 2021.
to a decision yesterday and decided that we will suspend the use of NIN as a
prerequisite for the 2020 UTME and Direct Entry (DE) registration until 2021.
“By then, all candidates would have been given
one year notice to register.
one year notice to register.
“This does not affect our permanent and ad hoc
staff who will participate in the exercise as they will require the NIN for
verification.
staff who will participate in the exercise as they will require the NIN for
verification.
“We have gone round and seen the passion and
commitment of the candidates; the reality on ground is that what we expect is
not attainable at the moment, so we shall not inflict more pain on candidates.”
commitment of the candidates; the reality on ground is that what we expect is
not attainable at the moment, so we shall not inflict more pain on candidates.”
The registrar also noted that technical issues
on ground with regards to the system of registration at the NIMC, was one of
the major reasons for the suspension.
on ground with regards to the system of registration at the NIMC, was one of
the major reasons for the suspension.
According to him, plans are underway for the
provision of a more advanced system that will be more efficient for the
exercise.
provision of a more advanced system that will be more efficient for the
exercise.
He also said that the board as well as NIMC
would continue to share its intelligence reports as well as other plans for the
smooth conduct of the exercise in future.
would continue to share its intelligence reports as well as other plans for the
smooth conduct of the exercise in future.
NIN to tackle malpractice
Oloyeded reiterated that the need for NIN as a
prerequisite for the exercise was to tackle identity fraud during examinations.
prerequisite for the exercise was to tackle identity fraud during examinations.
Also speaking, the Director-General of NIMC, Mr
Aliyu Azeez, said that the move was necessary as the Commission was overwhelmed
with the exercise within the short time given.
Aliyu Azeez, said that the move was necessary as the Commission was overwhelmed
with the exercise within the short time given.
He said that NIMC had only 1,000 centres around
the country for the exercise and would need up to 4,000 to conduct such
exercise.
the country for the exercise and would need up to 4,000 to conduct such
exercise.
He however, stated that the partnership with
JAMB would continue while advising parents and candidates for the 2021 UTME to
use the opportunity to acquire the number within the stipulated time to avoid
last-minute rushes.
JAMB would continue while advising parents and candidates for the 2021 UTME to
use the opportunity to acquire the number within the stipulated time to avoid
last-minute rushes.
Azeez also said that by 2021, NIMC registration
would be made available at JAMB Computer-Based Tests (CBT) centres nationwide,
with operators on ground to capture candidates.
would be made available at JAMB Computer-Based Tests (CBT) centres nationwide,
with operators on ground to capture candidates.
JAMB has
fixed this year’s examination for March 14 to April
4, while an optional mock examination for candidates is scheduled for February
18.
fixed this year’s examination for March 14 to April
4, while an optional mock examination for candidates is scheduled for February
18.
NIN needed for other purposes
Prospective UTME applicants are still applying for the NIN despite its
suspension by JAMB. JAMB had suspended the use of NIN due to the commission’s
inability to manage the population surge.
suspension by JAMB. JAMB had suspended the use of NIN due to the commission’s
inability to manage the population surge.
However, some prospective
applicants are still applying for the NIN, citing the fact that the
identification number can be used for other purposes, among other reasons.
applicants are still applying for the NIN, citing the fact that the
identification number can be used for other purposes, among other reasons.
This is despite the announcement
by JAMB that the compulsory use of the NIN for registration had been suspended.
by JAMB that the compulsory use of the NIN for registration had been suspended.
JAMB management had on Saturday, January 12, suspended the use of NIN
due to the NIMC’s inability to manage the population surge.
due to the NIMC’s inability to manage the population surge.
Some of the candidates said that getting the NIN now would help them
when they need it for other purposes.
when they need it for other purposes.
Most applicants said getting the NIN now means they would not have to
pass through the stress again if they had to do the UTME again in 2021, and it
can be used for other numerous purposes.
pass through the stress again if they had to do the UTME again in 2021, and it
can be used for other numerous purposes.
The board made the announcement of the suspension of NIN at a press
conference at its head office at Bwari, Abuja.
conference at its head office at Bwari, Abuja.
Parents
berate JAMB
Parents and guardians of UTME candidates
seeking admission to higher institutions of learning have tongue-lashed JAMB for
what they described as a poor policy framework.
seeking admission to higher institutions of learning have tongue-lashed JAMB for
what they described as a poor policy framework.
They said the suspension came unexpectedly as
the Board continues to call for NIN even in the evening of the day the idea was
suspended.
the Board continues to call for NIN even in the evening of the day the idea was
suspended.
Parents who might have gone through harrowing
experiences during the struggle for NIN registration rebuked the board for what
they called policy summersault. They
said despite candidates’ tales of woe in the process of trying to obtain the
NIN and calls from the lawmakers, among other stakeholders, on the board to
extend the deadline to 2021, the leadership of JAMB remained adamant, saying
that “there is no going back on the use of NIN for 2020 UTME registration” but
suspend the idea in one fell swoop.
experiences during the struggle for NIN registration rebuked the board for what
they called policy summersault. They
said despite candidates’ tales of woe in the process of trying to obtain the
NIN and calls from the lawmakers, among other stakeholders, on the board to
extend the deadline to 2021, the leadership of JAMB remained adamant, saying
that “there is no going back on the use of NIN for 2020 UTME registration” but
suspend the idea in one fell swoop.
With this, some parents were not impressed that
the board had already subjected the candidates to a lot of physical and
emotional stress.
the board had already subjected the candidates to a lot of physical and
emotional stress.
Many parents blamed the scenario on poor
leadership, wondering why Nigerian youths were always subjected to emotional
trauma in their quest for knowledge for their children and wards.
leadership, wondering why Nigerian youths were always subjected to emotional
trauma in their quest for knowledge for their children and wards.
“The period these children were supposed to use
for preparation was wasted at the National Identity Management Commission
(NIMC) offices. There were ugly stories about what these children passed
through, including those that slept at NIMC centres,” a parent lamented.
for preparation was wasted at the National Identity Management Commission
(NIMC) offices. There were ugly stories about what these children passed
through, including those that slept at NIMC centres,” a parent lamented.
UTME registration begins
The head of media, and information of JAMB, Dr.
Fabian Benjamin said over 650 Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres had been
accredited for this year’s examination.
“Sales of registration documents will start from January 13 to February 17,
2020. The board has also fixed this year’s examination for March 14 to April 4,
while an optional mock examination for candidates is scheduled for February
18,” he said