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Tag: Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB

  • UTME: No exemption on biometric verification, JAMB insists

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) says there is no exemption on biometric verification for all candidates of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

    The board made this known in its Vol. 1, No 11 weekly Bulletin of the Office of the Registrar and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.

    According to the board, biometric verification will be the only mode of admittance of candidates into its examination centres nationwide saying that examination officials must adhere strictly to the rules.

    “Exemption mode is not allowed for any candidate, therefore, no biometric verification, no examination and no candidate should be kept waiting if he or she cannot be verified but should be directed to contact JAMB.

    “There is no other attendance register apart from the biometric verification, it will also serve as the attendance register during the examination as photo albums will only carry pictures with no marking points for either present or absent.

    “All examination officials, including security agents are to ensure compliance with all guidelines, rules and regulations on the examination as strict adherence to the guide on compulsory biometric verification of every candidate is required,” the board said.

    It also listed prohibited items into the examination halls as watches, pen or Biro, mobile phones or similar electronic device, books, calculators, smart eye lenses, ear pieces, recorders and jewelry.

    Others are key holders, ATM cards, erasers, Bluetooth devices, microphones among others, while adding also that spy reading glasses must be scrutinised.

    NAN recalls that the board had recently scheduled to commence the 2019 exercise starting with its mock examination on April 1 and the main examination on April 11, across its Computer Based Test (CBT) centres, nationwide. (NAN)

  • JAMB reschedules mock examination for March 23rd

    …Considers new date for UTME 

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has rescheduled its mock examination for Saturday, 23rd March 2019.

    The board disclosed this in a statement issued by its Head of Media, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, on Monday night, in Abuja.

    The statement urged candidates to begin the printing of their mock examination slips from Wednesday 6th, March.

    It enjoined all candidates to jealously guard all their details pertaining to the 2019 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination and (UTME/DE) Direct Entry.

    Meanwhile, it was learnt last night that the board was considering a new date for this year’s UTME.

    The examination, which was slated to begin on March 16th and end of 23rd March, had been shifted because of the Presidential and National Assembly Elections which held on February 23rd.

    Read also: No going back on UTME biometrics, says JAMB

    A new date for the UTME is being considered by the board.

    The statement reads: “Mock examination was introduced in 2017 to give candidates the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the conduct of Computer Based Test, particularly, candidates who are not conversant with the use of computers.

    “The Board would not want any candidate to be at a disadvantage position, hence the introduction of mock examination and other processes that would help the candidates during the examination.

    “The Board equally introduced the nine (9) keys without a mouse for candidates to use the computer with ease.

    “The Board also uses the mock exercise to ascertain the readiness of its system and to appraise the candidates’ preparedness for the main examination

    “This clarification becomes necessary because of insinuations from some quarters that marks from the mock examination would be added to scores obtained in the main examination.

    “The public should, therefore, note that, therefore, examination as its name implies, would not be used for any assessment process.

    “This year’s exercise is the third in the series of mock examinations conducted by the Board under the leadership of Prof. Is-haq Oloyede.”

  • No going back on UTME biometrics, says JAMB

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), says it will not rescind its decision on the use of biometrics in the conduct of its Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

    This is contained in the board’s weekly bulletin issued on Sunday in Lagos.

    According to the bulletin the importance of biometrics in the conduct of the board’s examination cannot be overemphasised.

    It noted that the Biometrics Verification Machine (BVM) was introduced by the board in an attempt to get rid of the numerous forms of examination malpractice.
    It said the BVM was a security mechanism used for the authentication of candidates’ identity as it provided access to the individual data, based on physiological characteristics.

    “The core value of a biometric verification process lies in its ability to provide extra layers of security and protection against counterfeiting and impersonation.

    “The increasing threat of identity fraud during the board’s UTME before the advent of the BVM necessitated its introduction for capturing biometrics of candidates to counter fraud.

    “The candidate’s 10 fingers are captured during registration and are used as clearance to admit them into the examination hall.

    “There are various types of biometric solutions but JAMB opted for finger print recognition, to eliminate all forms of infractions.

    “Biometric security is surely a breakthrough for the board, because the finger prints recognition technology provides a greater degree of security as it is impossible to steal, forget, loose or compromise data already captured.

    Read also: AIB begins probe on crashed NCAT aircraft

    “Therefore, the adoption of biometrics in the conduct of our examination is here to stay,” the bulletin noted.

    It reassured candidates that their finger prints would not be used for any purpose other than identification.

    According to the bulletin, the benefits of the BVM are immense and indispensible to the assessment process.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the board had prior to the commencement of the sales of its 2019 registration documents on Feb. 10, warned that it would not re-schedule any examination for candidates with biometric issues.

    It added that candidates with issues of biometrics must visit the board’s headquarters in Abuja to be captured.

    The bulletin noted that out of a total of 52 candidates with such challenges nationwide, only 22 showed up at the board’s headquarters for the process.

    Meanwhile the bulletin also noted that the slash in the UTME fee by the Federal Government had increased the number of candidates who want to sit for the examination.

    It said government had announced the reduction of the fees for the examination from N5, 000 to N3, 500.

    The board’s Head, Media and Information, Dr Fabian Benjamin had told NAN in an interview that over 1.8 million candidates had registered for the examination.

    “The board had in the past six weeks put its UTME and Direct Entry application documents from Feb. 10 to Feb. 21.

    “Many candidates been interviewed disclosed that they were encouraged to register when they discovered that they could afford the new fees,” the bulletin said. (NAN)

  • 2019 elections will not affect JAMB exams-Registrar

    The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board ( JAMB ), Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, has said that the 2019 general elections would not affect the board’s 2019/2020 examination.

    He made this remark while fielding questions from journalists shortly after delivering the 2018 Annual Sobo Sowemimo Lecture of the Abeokuta Club in Abeokuta.

    Oloyede said that since the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ), had given the dates of the elections, then the board would only need to adjust accordingly.

    “I don’t think there will be any need for a shift in the examination date because of the 2019 general elections. I believe INEC has done well by giving us a prior notice six months ago.

    “They have given us the date of the elections. So we have no excuse not to have adjusted. We have adjusted appropriately,” he said.

    Oloyede decried the rate at which candidates, who were not qualified to write the examination applied for it, thereby, causing what he described as “unnecessary luggage” on the board.

    He said that the examination body would adopt stiffer measures to check incidences of unqualified candidates from applying and writing the examination for the 2019/2020 admission exercise.

    Read Also: ‘JAMB will not be pressured to reduce cost of forms’

    Oloyede noted that JAMB would not allow anyone to take undue advantage over others, saying the board would not repeat the mistake it recorded in the last examination as regards this development.

    The JAMB registrar said the body would begin the 2019/2020 examination process by October, promising that the procedure for the next examination would be better than the last one.

    “We are on with the 2018/2019 admission exercise. This, we started just about a month ago. We believe that by the end of October, we would then begin the 2019/2020 admission.

    “I can assure you that we are fine-tuning and learning from our mistakes last year. We are perfecting the processes and procedures, ensuring that no one is allowed to have undue advantage over the others.

    Oloyede, who did not disclose the exact number of the applicants expected for the 2019 exercise, said measures had been put in place to ensure that all applicants are minimally qualified.

    “It is difficult to say the exact number of applicants we are expecting this time. We expect to crash the number because many of those who are taking the forms are not even prepared or qualified for the exam.

    “Some are SS1 students, who are just trying; contributing N5, 000 unduly to our purse. We are putting in place some checks to make people who want to apply to be minimally qualified.

    “That’s where we are moving to, rather than creating unrealistic figures. We cannot say actually this is the figure but we are trying to ensure that we don’t have unnecessary luggage.

    “We are not interested in the money. We are interested in having adequate preparation for those who are genuine students,” he added.

  • JAMB remits N7.8bn as examination surplus

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) says it has remitted another N7.8 billion to the Federal Government.

    The board’s Head, Media and Information, Dr Fabian Benjamin, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos.

    According to him, the board has planned to remit the amount as surplus to the Federal Government as was done in 2017.

    Benjamin said that the amount was the surplus generated from the conduct of the board’s 2018 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

    “However, government in its magnanimity, graciously directed that we remit about N5.6 billion and use the balance for restructuring of the board’s headquarters to meet up with its international status.

    “We, therefore, want to appreciate the governing board of JAMB led by Dr Emmanuel Ndukwe for the tremendous support in ensuring that the current administration’s vision of transparency and accountability as fully embraced by JAMB is sustained.

    “The Ndukwe-led board had, within its short period of inauguration, contributed immensely in some ground breaking innovations.

    “One of such innovations is the quick remittance of the 2018 surplus. Whatever candidates pay for JAMB’s examination is a trust and must be accounted for.

    “The board, though not a revenue generating agency, will continue to be judicious with resources at its disposal,” he said.

    Benjamin said that cumulatively and technically, the board had remitted a total of N15.6 billion in less than two years.

    “The board is thinking of how to ensure that candidates benefitted from the surplus.

    “We are currently looking at a number of ways to enhance the conduct of the examination where candidates will benefit by way of conducive environment in writing the examination.

    “We are also looking at putting more mechanism in place that will ensure absolute equity and fairness in the selection of candidates through enhanced technology as currently being done by the Central Admission Process Selection (CAPS),” he said.

    Benjamin said that the board was set to acquire cutting edge technology to give candidates the best registration procedure, examination and a more improved selection process.

    He said the development was similar to the one that was currently being developed by the CAPS initiative.

    Benjamin lauded the efforts of members of staff of the board, as well as other key stakeholders, for their doggedness, commitment and support in ensuring that integrity of the board and its examination was sustained.

  • JAMB releases results of rescheduled UTME

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), on Tuesday, announced that the Direct Entry (DE) application, which began in December 2017, would close on June 4.

    The Board’s Head of Media, Dr Fabian Benjamin, made the announcement in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Abuja.

    According to Benjamin, over 140, 000 candidates have so far obtained the forms online.

    He said that the closure became necessary in order to avail the board to plan ahead for the 2018 admission process into various institutions.

    “With the policy meeting coming up on June 26, which involves the Minister of Education and all stakeholders in the sector, the 2018 admission guidelines would be discussed and approved for the board.

    Read Also:JAMB announces closure of Direct Entry application

    “This includes both for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and DE.

    “Therefore, candidates who are still interested and want to apply for the DE should use the window period of seven days to apply, as no extension of date will be granted.”

    Similarly, Benjamin said that the board has released the results of the mop up examination conducted for candidates, who were rescheduled for the UTME on Saturday, May 26.

    NAN recalls that the board had recently, conducted a mop up examination for over 12, 000 candidates in some of its centres across the country.

    This included those whose biometrics could not be captured during the initial period of the UTME in March, those who were yet to see their results and have not been involved in any form of malpractice.

    Others included those who were unable to print out their e-slip before the earlier examinations and those whose centres were cancelled for suspected malpractices.

    On the admission process, Benjamin told NAN that the board frowned at some institutions that have breached the constitutional guidelines for the entire process by making advertorials before the policy meeting.

    He explained that all institutions must note that they are not to make any form of adverts for admissions into their schools until after the policy meeting.

    According to the spokesman, this is because the meeting is the only authorised body that approves admission process for every preceding year.

    “Advertising before the policy meeting is a violation and abuse of the entire process.

    “They must recall that at the meeting, all proceedings, rules and regulations guiding the admissions are discussed and unanimously approved by all stakeholders.

    “However, a list of institutions that breached this rule are being compiled by the board and to be forwarded to the appropriate body for sanction.”

    Benjamin added that in view of the above, those who intend to make admission adverts before the slated meeting, are urged to have a rethink and halt.

    He also noted that the 2018 policy meeting of the education sector was coming early to allow institutions begin an early admission.

     

     

  • Police Job: 37,062 candidates shortlisted for examination

    The Police Service Commission (PSC), said it has shortlisted 37,062 candidates for examination as part of the ongoing recruitment exercise into the Nigeria Police Force.

    The examination is slated for Friday, May 25th at Computer Based Test (CBT) centres all over the country in the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

    The examination which would be conducted by Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is the next level of the recruitment exercise which began with physical and document screening on the 7th of May 2018.

    Read Also: 6,000 jobs: Police recruitment not for sale, DIG Dikko warns

    133,324 applicants applied for the vacant job but 6,000 candidates are expected to be recruited at the end of the exercise.

    This is contained in a statement in Abuja on Monday by the Spokesman of the Commission, Ikechukwu Ani.

    The Commission stated that successful candidates from the screening exercise have been contacted through SMS and emails to attend the computer based examination in various Centres.

    The Commission also urged Candidates who are yet to receive any invitation to check the State Police Command Headquarters for the date, venue and time for the examination or the Police Service Commission portal, www.psc.org.ng.

    On the items needed for the examination, Ani stated: “Candidates are required to come with their biometric and data capturing slip to the examination slip.

    “They will not be allowed to enter the examination hall with electronic devices such as spy eye glasses, telephone hand set, calculator, wrist watches and camera.”

    The Commission warned persons not invited for the examination or who do not have the biometric and data capturing slips to stay away from the examination centres.

    According to the statement: “The Commission will not tolerate any attempt to subvert this national assignment by anybody no matter how highly placed

    It also restated its commitment to conduct a successful police recruitment that will meet international standards and the desires of Nigerians

     

  • UTME 2018: JAMB gives update on removal of results from site

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board ( JAMB ) has said that the 2018 Unified Tertiary University Examinations ( UTME ) candidates who could no longer access their results might have had their results withheld.

    The Board’s Head of Media, Dr Fabian Benjamin disclosed this in an interview with our correspondent on Monday in Abuja.

    Some candidates have earlier, cried foul following the removal of their released UTME results from the website of the Board, after initially accessing it.

    The candidates complained that the site displayed, “You do not have any result yet” or “you did not write the examination,” after such results were earlier published.

    According to Benjamin, the board may reschedule the examinations for some whose cases are exceptional but some results may have been withheld.

    “Once you don’t see your result after a while it means it has been withheld.

    “However, there are exceptions and the board intends to reschedule the examinations for those who fall in that category but they would be contacted before then.”

    He explained that the board was still working to release other results.

    He also noted that the board would continually give an update to the general public on its latest developments as time goes on, especially if there are any changes in the system.

    Benjamin also enjoined those who intend to change their choice of institutions before the 2018/19 admissions process begins, to visit the board’s site and follow the procedure as displayed.

    He said the process has been ongoing and costs N2, 500 only and can only be processed online, just like every other process of the board.

    NAN

  • JAMB releases 1.5m results

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) on Monday released the results of 1.5 million candidates who sat for the 2018 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

    The board, in a statement by the agency’s Spokesman, Fabian Benjamin, in Abuja yesterday, said it decided to release the results after considering reports of its supervisors CCTV footages during the conduct of the examination.

    He said the results of 112,331 and those of visually candidates are yet to be released.

    Dr. Benjamin also said the board was screening the results of 111,981 candidates which have been withheld.

    The statement reads: “After viewing all CCTV footage during the conduct of the 2018 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and considering reports from our supervisors, monitors and other independent Nigerians who took interest in promoting the quality of public examination in Nigeria, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released the results of (1,502,978) One Million, Five Hundred and Two thousand, Nine Hundred and Seventy-Eight candidates who sat for the 2018 UTME.

    “A total of (1,652,825) One Million, Six Hundred and Fifty-Two Thousand, Eight Hundred and Twenty-Five candidate had indicated interest in the examination by registering for the 2018 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

    “One Hundred and Twelve Thousand, Three Hundred and Thirty-One (112,331) candidates results are yet to be released out of which (350) Three Hundred and Fifty are the results of the blind candidates which would be released soon and (111,981) One Hundred and Eleven Thousand, Nine Hundred and Eighty-One results withheld for further screening.

    “The figure above excludes foreign candidates whose examination would be conducted in April.”

    Read Also: 2018 UTME: Parents threaten to sue JAMB

  • 2018 UTME: Candidates complain over use of computer

    Some candidates who sat for the ongoing 2018 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations ( UTME ) say they found the use of computers challenging.

    The candidates spoke in separate interviews with our correspondent who monitored the exercise on Monday in Abuja.

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board ( JAMB ) on March 9 started the 2018 UTME in its 605 centres across the country.

    One if the candidates, Aliyu Dikko, who sat a Dutse-Makaranta Centre told our correspondent that the questions were not as challenging as the use of the computer.

    Aliyu said that his inability to use the computer was because he was coming from a rural part of the town and access to the such gadgets was a challenge.

    He said that the little knowledge he had on the use of computer was a bit different from what he experienced while sitting for the examination.

    “For instance, I got so tensed I skipped to the next page when I was not through with the one I was answering.

    “Asides this, everything went fine with me; I’ll just go and pray that God favours me,” he said.

    Another candidate, Temitope Momodu said that it was just two weeks ago that she familiarises herself with the use of a computer.

    She said that her school, which was government-owned, was teaching computer studies but not the practical aspect of it that would enable her use the system effectively.

    She, however, said that her experience during the examinations was a smooth one, although she was slow, she managed to make good use of her time.

    Nnoli Samuel, another candidate said more students would have been familiar with the procedure of how to use the computer, if JAMB was able to conduct a mock test for everyone before the examination proper.

    According to him, only those who are writing the examinations for the second or more time will find the use of the computer easy.

    “Some of us are writing for the first time, it is not as if I have not used a computer before but you know this is an exam and if you make one mistake, there’s no going back.

    “You need to think well at the same time be fast because your time is running. I must say also that the questions were what I expected but the options were really confusing for me.”

    Samuel lauded the entire conduct of the exercise, while also commending the centre for keeping to time as well as maintaining a hitch free session.

    Mrs Kate Udoh, a parent of one of the candidates at a Bwari centre advised other parents to ensure their children received computer training while in school.

    “If the school, whether private or government owned, does not teach or have the computers to teach them, the children should be enrolled in training centres.

    “This is better than buying them big phones and gadgets they do not need for now and that may even take away their attention from learning from the big screen.

    “This is where it starts from, once they gain admissions into higher schools, it would not be new to them anymore.”

    We recall that Prof. Is’hak Oloyede, JAMB’s Registrar recently stressed the board’s readiness to keep pace with the fast changes in technology.

    He therefore urged candidates to improve their skills in information technology to be able to run with the board’s vision.

    NAN