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Tag: UTME

Curtailing mass failure rate among teenagers
“Concerns rise over teaching as over nine million fail UTME in seven years.” The report revealed that the average failure rate for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination conducted by the Joint Admissions Matriculation Board over seven years stood at 78.29 per cent. Out of 11.9 million candidates who took the UTME between 2018 and 2024, about 9.17 million candidates scored below 200 (the pass mark). It is frightening.
In the report, education stakeholders attributed this poor performance to factors such as a shortage of qualified teachers, outdated curricula and distractions from social media. On the other hand, some parents, who in the past disputed the results as released by JAMB, argued that some registered candidates could not sit for the examination due to network glitches and a shortage of computer systems.
The situation is also a cause for concern for business owners as these failures have a proportionate relationship with the quality of the workforce. The data over the last seven years shows a progressive increase in the UTME failure rate. The continuous increase in failure reduces the quality and quantity of employable people.
The concern over the time children spend on TikTok, Instagram and other social media platforms is understandable. There is also an increasing craze for the Nigerian youth to become content creators which may seem illogical to some parents. However, it is important to note that limiting creative pursuits may not necessarily be the solution as there have been instances of successful individuals who have balanced both academics and content creation effectively.
Take the influencer Enioluwa Adeoluwa for instance. The 24-year-old Eni, as he is fondly called, must have mastered this balancing act. In January, he announced that he was studying for his PhD, as he reminisced on his journey on social media. By his own account, he graduated from Ekiti State University at 19, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in media and theatre, and boasting a 4.71 CGPA. While studying for his PhD, Eni continues to create content that inspires.
Furthermore, given the rapid technological advancements such as artificial intelligence, it is becoming increasingly apparent that Nigerians must guide and encourage their children to use technology for constructive purposes. For instance, generative AI tools have the potential to elevate soft skills and foster creativity, making them valuable assets for the development and growth of Nigerian youth.
Undoubtedly, the systemic issues within the education sector must be addressed. Fixing these systemic issues will take time as they have been decades in the making. Considering this, are there any short-term solutions that parents can look to, and which are somewhat within their control? If children spend too much time on mobile phones, can Nigeria leverage technology to solve this problem?
It’s worth noting that the ability to use a mobile phone does not automatically translate to the ability to use a computer. As a result, facilities such as this learning centre will play a crucial role in helping students with varying levels of digital proficiency to become better acquainted with computer-based testing.
June 17, 2024
JAMB Extends 2023 UTME Registration Deadline
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has extended its 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination registration by one week.
The extension began from Wednesday, February 15, 2023.
However, the sale of ePINs will end on February 20, 2023, while the UTME registration ends on Wednesday, February 22, 2023.
The Head of Public Affairs and Protocol, JAMB, Dr Fabian Benjamin, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.
“At the close of the sale of e-PINs on Tuesday, 14th February, 2023, 1,527,068 candidates had successfully registered for the 2023 UTME exercise inclusive of the 168,748, who indicated their interest to take the Mock-UTME,” the statement read.
A total of 1,527,068 candidates had successfully registered for the 2023 UTME exercise.
February 15, 2023
JAMB to Conduct Supplementary UTME for 67 Candidates
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has scheduled a supplementary Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) for Saturday, September 24, 2022.
The affected are 67 candidates who registered but were unable to take the examination due to unforeseen circumstances.
According to a statement issued by JAMB’s Head of Public Affairs and Protocol, Dr. Febian Benjamin, candidates will take their exams at specially designated locations.
According to Benjamin, following the 2022 UTME, the board reviewed the entire process and candidates who had biometric challenges were given the opportunity to sit for a mop-up examination.
The board also announced that since the conduct of a mop-up examination was a stopgap measure, it would not be allowed to be a permanent feature of its calendar.
It notes that any candidate presenting any challenge(s) would have to indicate such peculiarities at the point of registration for them to be given special consideration.
Benjamin noted that the decision to consider the candidates was to ensure that no single innocent candidate is punished unjustly.
The statement urged the 67 candidates to print their supplementary examination notification slips from Monday, 19th September, 2022, to know the centres where they would be sitting for the examination.
September 19, 2022
UTME: We don’t decide cut-off mark – JAMB
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has said it does not decide on the uniform cut-off mark for the national Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME.
JAMB said cut-off marks are decided during a policy meeting constituted by all the Heads of the Institutions in attendance and chaired by the Hon. Minister of Education.
Fabian Benjamin, the Head, Public Affairs and Protocol of JAMB, disclosed that institutions deliberate upon the admission guidelines from individual institutions and their preferred minimum admission scores.
Benjamin was reacting to a comment on the cut-off mark by a former President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Prof. Nasir Fagge.
He disclosed that JAMB conducts the examination and hands over the result to the institutions to decide the cut-off mark.
Benjamin also disclosed that institutions rely on the Central Admissions Processing System in deciding cut-off marks.
The statement reads partly: “There is nothing like a uniform minimum national Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) score for any of the tiers of tertiary institutions and neither does the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board decide any such requirement for any institution.
“The Board does not and has never determined any uniform national UTME scores otherwise known as cut-off mark by the general public for any tertiary institution because, in actual sense, there are no uniform national UTME scores.
“The lucid process of admission which the former President of the Academic Staff Union of University, Prof. Nasir Fagge, expounded and which was published in Premium Times is the exact process being followed in the conduct of admission exercise to tertiary institutions in the country.
“This process has even been improved upon with the elimination of human interference through its full automation with the introduction of the Central Admissions Processing system(CAPS).”
August 1, 2022
2022 UTME Begins Nationwide as 1.7m candidates sit for Examination
No fewer than 1.7 million candidates are set to take part in the 2022 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) nationwide scheduled to run from May 6 to May 16.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) stated that the examination would be conducted for 1,761,338 candidates that successfully registered for the examination in 755 registered computer based centres.
The Head Media JAMB, Dr Fabian Benjamin, said in Abuja that the board had put in place all measures to ensure smooth conduct of the examination.
Fabian said that all candidates would be checked into the examination hall, using the Biometric Verification Machine (BVM), which is also a register of attendance in line with the Board’s policy.
He further said that the ban on prohibited items was still in force, hence called on candidates to be careful not to run foul of the law as necessary sanctions would be meted out to violators of JAMB’s code of conduct.
Benjamin identified banned items within the examination hall to include but not limited to flash drives, smart watches, calculators, recorders, mobile phones, spy reading glasses, jewellery, among others.
May 6, 2022
Federal Lawmaker Proposes 3-Year Validity for UTME Results
Rep. Tolulope Akande-Sadipe (APC-Oluyole) has proposed a three-year validity period for Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results in the country.
This is contained in a statement issued by her Media Aide, Olamilekan Olusada, and made available to newsmen on Thursday in Ibadan.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Akande-Sadipe is the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora Matters.
She said that a bill was, on March 16, sponsored on the floor of the House to amend the law establishing Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
According to her, the bill is tagged: “A Bill for an Act to Amend the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (Establishment, etc.) Act, 2021 and Other Related Matters.”
Akande-Sadipe said that the law should be amended to increase the validity of UTME to three years to make JAMB function better.
The lawmaker argued that the one-year validity period of UTME results was cumbersome, distorting and worrisome to the average Nigerian.
“Most examinations meant for entrance for academic programmes generally last more than a year.
“Take a look at IELTS, SATS, GRE and other recognised examinations, they are either valid for three or four years, and they have remained among the best, as they have the test of time.
“The bill seeks to increase the validity of JAMB results from one to three years,” Akande-Sadipe said.
She added that the bill, if adopted and passed, would guarantee candidates’ admission into tertiary institutions three years after sitting for UTME.
The lawmaker stressed that this would save many Nigerians from the cost of purchasing UTME forms every year.
“The bill, if adopted and passed, will minimise the cost of running the examination and allow candidates to plan, project and decide on which of the tertiary institutions to study.
“It will also allow candidates to determine what to study and where, after seeing their strength as well as weaknesses, thus minimising the logistical need for conducting the examination.
“It will reduce uncertainties surrounding applications and admissions, and the number of applicants annually without reducing the quality of the examination,” she said.
March 17, 2022
JAMB Announces Date for 2022 UTME, DE Registration
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) says registration for the 2022 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE) will start on February 12.
Fabian Benjamin, the board’s spokesman, broke the news on Monday.
According to him, the UTME/DE registration will end on March 19 while the mock exam is scheduled to hold on April 20.
“Yes, the registration (UTME/DE) will start on February 12 and end on March 19,” he said.
He also disclosed that the UTME will take place between April 20 and 30.
This year’s exam is coming against the backdrop of several new initiatives introduced by the board.
JAMB had earlier changed its literature texts for four language-related subjects.
The board also announced that it has taken over the collection of the N700 registration fee from CBT centres.
Earlier, the board had warned prospective applicants to disregard fraudsters claiming the UTME/DE forms are already out.
“For the avoidance of doubt, any information in circulation purporting to have emanated from the Board to the effect that the sale of the 2022 UTME and DE forms has commenced is not only fraudulent but is a calculated attempt by mischief makers to create unnecessary panic among prospective candidates for their own selfish ends,” it had said.
January 24, 2022
JAMB gives fresh updates on sale of UTME form
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has warned prospective candidates against being scammed, adding that it has not commenced the sale of the 2022 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations and Direct Entry forms.
This is according to a statement signed by the Board’s Head of Media and Protocol, Dr Fabian Benjamin, which noted that any claims that the sale of forms had commenced was fraudulent and should be disregarded.
Although the Board stated that it had concluded plans to commence the sale of the UTME and DE forms, it added that no date had been fixed.
JAMB noted that the date for the commencement of sale of the forms had never been shrouded in mystery hence, it is always published on both print and digital media.
The statement reads, “The attention of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has been drawn to the activities of unwholesome elements who had been misleading the general public on the purported commencement of the sale of the 2022 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination and Direct Entry application documents.
“For the avoidance of doubt, any information in circulation purporting to have emanated from the Board to the effect that the sale of the 2022 UTME and DE forms has commenced is not only fraudulent but is a calculated attempt by mischief makers to create unnecessary panic among prospective candidates for their own selfish ends.
“It should be noted that the commencement of the sale of the Board’s application documents in any given year has never been shrouded in mystery rather it is always a well-publicised undertaking in the print media as well as online and electronic platforms.
“Although the Board has concluded all arrangements to commence the sale of the 2022 UTME/DE Application Documents in due course it is yet to fix any date for its commencement.
“The general public is, therefore, by this notice urged to be mindful of speculators who are in the habit of second-guessing the Board’s on certain procedural issues with the aim of defrauding hapless candidates.
“The Board wishes to inform the general public that they would be sufficiently informed of the commencement of the sale of EPINs once approval has been granted by relevant authorities.
“Furthermore, the announcement of a suitable date to commence the sale would be accompanied by well-defined information on the procedures for the purchase of the e-pins, creating a profile, and where to go for biometric capturing, among other essential details.”
January 7, 2022
JAMB Introduces Two New Science Subjects To UTME
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has introduced two new science subjects of Physical and Health Education and Computer Studies as Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) subjects.
Registrar of the JAMB, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, stated this at the weekend after receiving an award of Excellence from journalists in Abuja.
Oloyede said: “We are asking and sensitizing the public, particularly the students who are to take the exam, that these are two Science subjects that will be added to their choice to widen opportunities for candidates to be able to access tertiary education.”
The Registrar also noted that the board would soon clear the backlog of illegal admissions conducted by tertiary institutions in the country.
He said the move is to ensure that students who have been improperly admitted but have the minimum qualification are rescued.
JAMB had recently uncovered 706,189 illegal admissions by universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and other related institutions.
“We want to continue the campaign to discourage those who are committing such illegal action to stop doing such,” Oloyede said.
While noting that a cashless system is adopted for registration of the 2022 UTME, Oloyede said JAMB would also prohibit Computer Based Test (CBT) centres from selling e-PINs to guard against extortion of candidates.
“It is known that many CBT centres, despite the supervision, still manage to exploit candidates.
“We want to put a stop to that, we have intensified monitoring but part of what we are doing is to ensure we protect the students against this extortion,” he said.
“We will ensure that anybody who wants to sell ePIN will not be a CBT centre. Once you are a CBT centre, you have lost the right to sell ePIN so that we can hold the ePIN sellers responsible for what they do,” he said.
The JAMB boss expressed deep appreciation to the group for considering him worthy of the Award.
December 5, 2021
JAMB Cancels UTME Cut-Off Marks, Adopts New System
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has cancelled general cut-off marks for admission into tertiary institutions.
It has, therefore, given the institutions freedom to set their individual minimum benchmark for admission.
The Board took the decision at the 2021 policy meeting on Tuesday.
The virtual meeting was chaired by the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu.
The Registrar of JAMB, Prof Ishaq Oloyede, while disclosing the decision of the stakeholders, said the University of Maiduguri proposed 150, Usman Dan Fodio University Sokoto proposed 140, Pan Atlantic University proposed 210, University of Lagos, 200; Lagos State University, 190; Covenant University, 190 and Bayero University Kano wanted 180 as its cut off mark.
The stakeholders also approved October 29, 2021, as the deadline for the closure of amendments for 2021 admissions.
On the deadline for the closure of admissions, the stakeholders resolved to allow the ministry decide as they could not agree on the December 31, 2021, deadline for all public institutions and January 31st 2022 for all private institutions.
Stakeholders also adopted the 2021 admission guidelines, which provide that all applications for part-time or full-time programmes for degrees, NCE, OND, and others must be posted only through JAMB.
Speaking on the stakeholders’ decision on other admission criteria, Prof Oloyede said the candidate’s credentials must be uploaded on Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) and recommended by the institution while JAMB approves and the candidate accepts the offer of admission.
He said when candidates have not accepted an offer, the institution can change the candidate after informing JAMB.
Also approved at the meeting were the guidelines that every institution is at liberty to admit candidates based on its own minimum score approved by the institution and the policy meeting.
The meeting also resolved that every institution should maintain its own minimum score as approved by the policy meeting.
According to the stakeholders, the 2021 admissions will be conducted only through CAPS, no institution is allowed to admit candidates without uploading their details on CAPS.
Oloyede further disclosed that for the 2021/2022 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, the board is introducing two new subjects: computer studies and physical and health education, bringing to a total of 25 subjects.
The stakeholders also exempted prison inmates, visually impaired and foreign candidates from sitting for post UTME exercise.
The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Arch Sonny Echono, said: “It is saddening that despite the clear directives at previous policy meetings some institutions still illegally admitted candidates outside CAPS.
“I consider such an act as a direct affront on the system and appropriate sanctions shall be applied on those found to have been in such a disruptive act.”
He maintained that any institution that issues admission letters to candidates outside CAPS will be punished for such gross indiscipline and fraud.
August 31, 2021