The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board

  • 2018 UTME: JAMB urges candidates to patiently await results

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has urged its 2018 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) candidates to patiently await the results of the just concluded examinations.

    The Head of Media of the Board, Dr Fabian Benjamin, stated this in an interview with the News men on Saturday in Abuja.

    He said the board was working diligently to ensure that the results are processed and posted on the board’s website soonest.

    Benjamin said that modalities were being put in place to ensure all the results are transparent and accurate.

    He reiterated that the board was delaying some of the results because each has to undergo total scrutiny before being posted on its website to avoid cancellations later.

    According to him, some of the results would be ready by Monday, March 19.

    Read Also: JAMB worker’s suit for failure to tender condition of service

    He also assured that all technical difficulties encountered to access the website were being addressed.

    The news men reports that number of candidates, who sat for the examinations earlier, were yet to receive their results.

    While some said that they received the reply of “your results are not ready yet”, others complained that the site says “you did not register for these examinations.’’

    The news men also reports that the examination, which was scheduled to end on Saturday, March 17, ended on Friday, March 16.

    NAN

  • 2018 UTME: Parents threaten to sue JAMB

    Some aggrieved parents of the candidates who sat for the on-going Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB are threatening to drag the board to court following lots of complaints that characterized the exercise in the state and the mal-functioning of the technical facilities deployed at some CBT centers which caused candidates to continue the examination, with only 20 minutes left for the submission of the papers

    Investigation by the Nation revealed that centers that were hardest hit by loads of technical deficiencies which led to last minutes changing of examination centers and cancellation of others, include: The Dialogue Computer Institute, AL-Qalam, Barda International School and Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University all within the Katsina metropolis

    At AL-Qalam University there were cases of mal- functioning of the cyber system thereby causing most candidates to wait for hours before the situation could be rectified and writing their papers only with 20 minutes remaining for submission

    At Barda international school, the system kept fluctuating in the examination hall, as candidates were held up until the systems get restored eventually, but the remaining time according to them was insufficient for them to write anything meaningful.

    Read Also: JAMB directs UTME candidates to check results online

    A visibly angry parent who accompanied her daughter to the center and who doesn’t want to be named ,said she was afraid her daughter may not pass the examination as she wasn’t given sufficient time to write the paper due to the failure of the server

    She said’’ we may have to find a way to force JAMB to repeat this exercise, even if it involves going to court, because it’s no fault of ours that the equipments weren’t functioning’’

    Another parent who simply identified himself as Alhaji Mohammed whose ward wrote at the Barda International school, said that he a had already lodged a complaint with the state zonal  coordinator

    When contacted through the telephone for her reaction to these complaints from the parents and candidates, the state Coordinator for JAMB, Hajara Tambari, admitted experiencing technical hitches at the early stages of the examination in some centers, especially system failure which delayed the examination particularly in Al-Qalam University center on Friday March 8th

    She said’’ we are making sure things run smoothly and ensure a hitch free examination, yes we had technical challenges but they are being addressed’’

     

  • JAMB optimistic of successful 2018 UTME

    JAMB optimistic of successful 2018 UTME

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB says it is optimistic that the conduct of its 2018 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), which begins on Friday, will be successful.

    The Head, Media and Information of the board, Dr Fabian Benjamin, expressed the optimism in an interview with our reporter on Friday in Lagos.

    1.6 million Candidates, inclusive of 367 visually impaired candidates, are participating in the examination scheduled to end on March 17.

    According to Benjamin, the board has put logistics in place to ensure the conduct of one of the best examinations in recent times.

    “If you come around to the board, you will find out that the atmosphere is relaxed.

    “We are fully ready and on top of the game, just as we expect a hitch-free conduct of the examination nationwide.

    “Today, we will start with just one session, which has been the tradition every year.

    “From tomorrow (Saturday), we shall have the full three sessions for the candidates as stated in their examination slips.

    “Our advice, therefore, is for the candidates to ensure that they adhere strictly to all the rules guiding the examination.

    “There is no shortcut to success. Our helplines are always open to candidates with issues.

    “They should feel free to talk to us rather than resort to self-help or engage the services of fraudsters, who might want to take advantage of them,’’ he said.

    An official at one of the examination centres, Dalewares Institute of Technology in Lagos, Mr David Babalola, told our reporter that the centre was prepared for the test.

    He said some candidates slated for the examination on Friday had been around the centre as early as 8.00 a.m.

    “But they will have to wait till about 1.00 p.m. when they will be allowed in for their accreditation,’’ he said.

    Babalola said the examination would start by 3.00 p.m. as directed by JAMB.

    At the WAEC International Office in Ikeja, another centre for the examination, the official in charge, Mrs Adedoyin Oladipo, told our reporter that the centre was fully prepared for the conduct of the examination.

    “We are fully ready here but the examination will be starting proper by 3.00 p.m.

    “The candidates scheduled for that time have been here early enough but we cannot start until we are told to do so,’’ she said.

     

     

  • UTME 2018: JAMB vows to fight malpractice, cautions against fraudsters

    UTME 2018: JAMB vows to fight malpractice, cautions against fraudsters

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) said on Wednesday that measures had been put in place to fight all forms of examination malpractice in its 2018 examinations scheduled to commence on Friday, March 9.

    The Registrar of the Board, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, disclosed this to newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja.

    According to him, all hands are on deck to ensure a smooth exercise in its 605 centres across the country.

    He said that the board would not hesitate to bring to book, anyone found wanting during the exercise.

    “We are pleased to announce to the public that we are fully ready to commence the 2018 examinations.

    “Through research, we have discovered a number of items that aid examination malpractice.

    “The board has looked into the possibility of these items being used in its examinations and have included them on our list of items banned from the venue of examination.

    “These include: watches, cameras, recorders, calculators, microphones, spy glasses, cell phones, ear-piece, ink/pen readers, smart lenses, smart rings/jewelries, smart-buttons, Bluetooth devices and storage devices among others.

    “Consequently, all officials, Computer-Based Test (CBT) owners and candidates are hereby warned not to bring any of the above banned items into the examination venues as ignorance will not be taken as a defence.

    “Any official, CBT operator or candidate caught will be handed over to security agencies for appropriate sanctions.

    “Candidates can only bring pencil that is allowed.’’

    Oloyede said that unlike the 2017 exercise, the Board would not release the results of the 2018 examinations immediately until after two to three days.

    This, he said, was not because the board was incapable of releasing the results immediately but because the results must undergo review and total scrutiny to avoid multiple cancellations of candidates’ results.

    The registrar urged candidates to shun lateness and adhere strictly to the regulations of the exercise, adding that the board would not reschedule the examination for anyone who missed the exercise.

    “Candidates are expected to have printed their e-slips from Tuesday, March 6.

    “The e-slip contains a number of information which includes their examination town, centre, date and time allocated to each candidate.

    “Candidates are urged to note that there shall be no rescheduling of any examination; they are to adhere strictly to the date and time allocated to them for the examination.

    “Any candidate who fails to turn up on schedule for his or her examination automatically misses the examination,’’ Oloyede said.

    He decried the incessant cases of candidates who are defrauded by syndicates.

    According to him, the worrisome situation has forced the board not to take lightly anyone caught trying to sabotage the system.

    “Some of them ask candidates to send recharge cards worth N4, 000 to N6, 000 to them for access to questions relating to the examinations; this is fraudulent.

    “I must say also no centre is allowed to collect any amount of money from candidates under any guise because the candidates have paid us already and we have paid the centres for these exercise.

    “We call on all of you to be on the watch and to never hesitate to call on us where such information is made available to you.

    “Our utmost ambition is to sanitise the system from any infraction and we will not hesitate to deal decisively with anybody trying to cheat the candidates or the system,’’ the registrar said.

    He stressed that the JAMB would continue to keep pace with the fast-paced changes in technology and candidates behaviour by either innovating new solutions or improving existing capacity.

    This, Oloyede explained, was in order to sustain the board’s credibility, adding that it was important to continue to find ways to address “the many inventions of candidates who are determined to circumvent the system.”

    Oloyede said that new processes had been introduced by JAMB not only to curb malpractices but to also improve the efficiency of its services to the public. (NAN)

  • Candidates hail JAMB’s mock examination

    Candidates hail JAMB’s mock examination

    Some 2018 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) candidates in Lagos on Monday applauded the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for conducting a hitch-free mock examination.

    The News men report that the mock examination is optional.

    The mock examination is to familiarise candidates with the process and test-run centre equipment (computers, servers and other backups) ahead of the main examination, slated to hold from March 9 to March 17.

    The news men correspondent who monitored the mock examination at the West Africa Examinations Council (WAEC) International Office Agidingbi, Ikeja, reports that candidates started arriving the centre as early as 5.30 a.m.

    The board had programmed candidates to take the examination in three sessions of 7.00 a.m., 9.00 a.m. and 1.30 p.m.

    The examination started with a thorough body search of candidates by men of the National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), followed by the biometric verification by the JAMB officials.

    One of the candidates, Opemipo Babajide, told the news men, the experience was worth the while, as it was his first time of participating at such examination.

    “Initially, I was not sure of what I was going to see in the hall, but on getting there, I just ensured I followed instructions.

    “I discovered, it was really nothing to be afraid of, as everything turned out to be seamless.

    “JAMB has done a great job with the introduction of this mock,’’ Babajide said.

    Victor Akuwudike, another candidate, said he relished the smooth way the system responded while the examination lasted.

    According to Akuwudike, from the launch of his browser through the entire process, it is interesting.

    “I really like my experience today with the entire examination process.

    Read Also: The JAMB scam and what not to do next, plus The Boko Harasser

    “Everything worked for the good of the examination and I want to salute JAMB for all the `behind the scene’ efforts in ensuring the smooth conduct of this mock examination.

    “My prayer is for the board not to relent in ensuring a perfect conduct of the main examination comes March,’’ Akuwudike said.

    The news men, however, reports that some candidates reported late for the mock examination.

    Some of the affected candidates missed their schedule, which automatically, disqualified them for the examination.

    The candidates claimed they came from far areas, which led to their late arrival at the centre.

    An official of JAMB at the centre was seen admonishing the candidates on the danger of getting to examination centres late.

    The official, who pleaded anonymity, urged the affected candidates to be conscious of the time of any the examination as this might stop them from achieving their aims.

    The news men reports that 245,753 candidates were expected to sit for the 2018 UTME mock examination nationwide.

    NAN

  • 13,000 candidates for UTME in Jigawa — Official

    13,000 candidates for UTME in Jigawa — Official

    The Jigawa office of Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) on Friday said it registered 13,000 candidates for 2018 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in the state.

    The JAMB Coordinator in the state, Malam Labaran Iliyasu, told the News men in Dutse that the examination would be conducted in Dutse, Kafin-Hausa, Gumel, Hadejia and Kazaure local government areas.

    He said registered candidates would receive Short Message Service (SMS) and E-mail, indicating their examination center, date and venue of the examination as from Sunday, Feb, 18, 2018.

    The coordinator added that JAMB recorded an increase in the number of candidates who would write the examination and attributed it to proactive measures taken by the board.

    Read Also: JAMB sells 1.6m 2018 UTME forms

    He noted that “some of the measures taken to enhance the exercise were approval of commercial banks and other financial institutions to sale scratch ‎cards to prospective candidates.

    “The system was simplified to enable candidates to obtain pin using their mobile phones.

    “The accreditation of registration centres also assisted in the success recorded.”

    Iliyasu said the sale of scratch cards had closed, adding however that “those who obtained the pin before the closing date can still register.”

    NAN

     

  • JAMB extends registration for 2018 UTME till Feb. 11

    JAMB extends registration for 2018 UTME till Feb. 11

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) have extended the registration for 2018 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UMTE), until Feb. 11.

    The Board disclosed this in a statement signed by its Head of Media, Dr Fabian Benjamin, and made available to the News men in Abuja, on Tuesday.

    According to him, the extension came after the Board made a “decision albeit with great hesitation to accommodate candidates who failed to register between the two months window period.’’

    He said that the decision was arrived at after the window period ended at midnight of Tuesday, February 6.

    Read Also:  JAMB extends registration by five days

    “The failure of these candidates to register is unfortunate and the Board hastens to add that this culture of impunity would not be tolerated henceforth.

    “Indeed penalty will be imposed for late registration from next session.

    “UTME candidates are therefore strongly advised to take advantage of the extension to register as request for further extension would not be entertained,” he said.

    The Board, however, noted that registration for Direct Entry (DE) candidates continues as earlier scheduled.

    NAN

  • Senate to probe low JAMB remittance before 2016

    Senate to probe low JAMB remittance before 2016

    The Senate, on Wednesday, resolved to investigate the low remittance by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board ( JAMB ) into the federation account before 2016.

    The resolution was sequel to the adoption of a motion under matter of urgent public importance, moved by Sen. Dino Melaye.

    Moving the motion, Melaye said that JAMB before 2016 paid into the federation account a meagre N50 million as revenue generated from the University and Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME).

    He said the revenue increased to five billion naira in 2016 and N7.8 billion in 2017.

    Read Also:  JAMB warns UTME candidates against fake questions

    The senator, however, expressed concern why the revenue remitted by JAMB in the past had been low.

    “Since JAMB can remit seven billion naira in one month, we must work on relevant agencies as the National Examination Council (NECO) and the West African Examination Council (WAEC) to generate more revenue.

    “There is the need for the Senate Committee to effectively carry out its oversight function with a view to finding out what went wrong in the past and block all the leakages in the agencies,’’ Melaye said.

    Also, the Senate Leader, Sen. Ahmed Lawan said, “something was amiss and we need to find out what happened in the past and why there was a sudden increase in remittances’’.

    In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, directed the Senate Committee on Education to investigate the matter and educate the Senate on reasons for the increased remittances.

    Saraki stressed the need to know what action had been taken to get those people, who were there in the past to explain what happened,’’ Saraki said.

    NAN

  • JAMB begins registration for UTME 2018

    JAMB begins registration for UTME 2018

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board said it has begun registration for the 2018 unified tertiary matriculation examinations ( UTME ) registration.
     
    JAMB said the registration would take place in over 700 computer based test (CBT) centres in 36 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
     
    The organization’s Head of Media, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, made the announcement in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.
     
    He said the exercise would end in February next year.
     
    Dr. Benjamin urged candidates to register within this time frame, noting that the board would not extend the registration period.
     
    The statement reads: “We will also want to state clearly that the board does not post candidates to any examination town other than the one chosen by the candidate at the point of registration. 
     
    “Candidates are, however, advised to register on time before the available spaces in their town of choice are exhausted.
     
    “The registration exercise started on Wednesday 6th December, 2017 and as at today so many candidates have text their names using their phone numbers to 55019 and got their profile registered. After which they equally proceeded to the CBT centres for registration. 
     
    “The exercise from our tour of centres today clearly showed that this is one of the best registration regime of the board in recent time. It is easy, smooth and hitch free. This system is simple and convenient, candidates are requested to do it themselves to avoid being defrauded by anybody.
     
    “Candidates can purchase the e -pins using their ATM or through Interswitch, Remita and other online platforms at the comfort of their homes.
     
    “The Board offices are available for any challenge encountered by candidate while trying to obtain the e -pin to register for the 2018 exercise.
     
    “Candidates who desire to register for the optional mock are also urged to do so as the platform will be withdrawn by the 30th of December, 2017 and only those who registered and indicated their interest on or before that time will be enlisted to participate. 
     
    “The board again reiterated its avowed commitment to conduct a hitch free examination and advance the cause of any Nigerian child desirous of qualitative tertiary education in the country. This is the beginning of the 2018 process.”
     
  • JAMB will return unspent money to FG – Registrar

    JAMB will return unspent money to FG – Registrar

    The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, said on Thursday the body would return unspent money to the Federal Government’s coffers.

    He said the controversies trailing the huge amount returned to government’s coffers this year was unnecessary.

    Oloyede said JAMB is not a wasteful agency, adding that whatever comes in would be appropriately remitted into the federal government purse.

    The former vice chancellor of the University of Ilorin told journalists in Ilorin, Kwara State, that the Admission Board would be strengthened to make it a self-sustaining agency of government.

    He said: “I am not aware of any agency that is with the nature of JAMB in the world that is being funded by government. But in Nigeria, because, we are used to something that is not proper and to get us out of what is improper will even be strange.”

    He said JAMB would improve on its activities in the coming years and urged all stakeholders in the education sector to be be honest in the discharge of their responsibilities.

    He also said the Board would not review downward the fee for Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in 2018.