Tag: the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB)

By Oluwaseun Gbanja

When the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) unveiled the list of the top 10 first-choice universities for UTME 2025 last week with Lagos State University climbing to the number one position with over 70,000 candidates, up from second place in 2024, and third place in 2023, jubilant stakeholders erupted in celebration, flooding social media with messages of pride and gratitude. For those familiar with LASU’s story, this achievement is far more than a surge in application numbers. It is a powerful testament to the university’s remarkable transformation.

Once a candidates-reject, dismissed as a “last resort” university, LASU has risen to become a first-choice destination, an irrefutable testament to the visionary leadership, strategic reforms, and unwavering commitment to excellence that has been the hallmark of the institution in recent years.

For almost three decades after its establishment, LASU wobbled under the heavy cloud of public scepticism and outright disdain, characterised by the industrial actions, poor facilities and internal crises that plagued it. The institution, established in 1983 by the enabling Laws of Lagos State (2015 as amended) with the vision to provide Lagos State with the required human capital for the sustenance of her position as the commercial and industrial hub of Nigeria, struggled year after year to attract the number of students that it had the potential to accommodate, even as it bore the brunt of its bad reputation.

It was not the case that those who administered or worked in LASU did not mean well or gave their best; they did. It was just a curious case of “water pass garri” as our Warri brothers would say.

The situation worsened just over a decade ago when a new fee regime, widely regarded as astronomical, was introduced, further plunging the university’s standing to its lowest point in terms of student enrolment.

In 2014, LASU was able to admit just over 1,000 students out of about 5,000 candidates who chose the university either as first or (mostly) second choice institution. As the late Prof. Tunde Fatunde wrote in an article published online, “One of the consequences of the declining student numbers was that in some departments, there were fewer students than teaching staff. The vice-chancellor wanted to close down some departments, merge some and even anticipated the closure and transfer of an entire faculty to a nearby institution. But it finally dawned on the university that there was a need to respond to the dwindling numbers. Last academic session, 4,000 places were allocated to LASU but only 1,000 candidates accepted.

“Suddenly members of ASUU realised that they might lose their jobs if the vice-chancellor was not prevented from rationalising courses and departments. Confrontation was inevitable.”

However, over the past decade, the narrative at Lagos State University began to shift dramatically. Slowly but steadily, the university pulled back from the brink of decline. Driven by the determination of stakeholders and the proactive leadership of the immediate past administration, a new era of peace and renewed commitment to the LASU project emerged. As stability took hold, the university’s reputation started to rise once again.

However, it was the appointment of Professor Ibiyemi Ibilola Olatunji-Bello, mni, NPOM, as the 9th substantive vice-chancellor in September 2021 that marked a true turning-point. At this watershed moment, the power of visionary leadership became unmistakable. Professor Olatunji-Bello came armed with six strategic goals designed to fulfil her ambitious vision of transforming LASU into the best university in West Africa. Her leadership style —strategic, human-centred and inclusive — prioritised discipline, excellence, and a student-friendly environment.

Perhaps the most striking and immediate outcome of her purposeful, focused leadership has been the sustained peace that LASU has enjoyed since 2021. This hard-won stability has paved the way for a reliable, accelerated academic calendar, restoring confidence among students, staff, and the wider public alike.

Furthermore, with Olatunji-Bello’s managerial acumen, LASU witnessed unprecedented improvements in academic achievements. It is on record that the university has produced the highest number of first-class graduates in its history in the last three convocations. Thanks to research excellence, infrastructural developments, local and international collaborations, digitalisation of processes, improvements in income generation and staff and students’ welfare.

Four new faculties and two schools housing about 26 new departments were also established by the administration to expand opportunities for admission seekers. All these have culminated in a sterling global reputation that is now making the university the number one choice for admission seekers in Nigeria.

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Those who attempt to downplay LASU’s recent feats by attributing it solely to Lagos State’s large population (and I have seen a few of them on social media), fail to acknowledge the shift in the reputation of the university in recent years. I dare ask: If population were the sole determinant of university patronage, shouldn’t LASU be the top institution since its establishment over 40 years ago? Why wasn’t LASU even in the top 10 as recently as five years ago? Why was UNILORIN consistently the most sought-after university for nine straight years until LASU dislodged it from that position?

LASU’s feat is even more impressive against the backdrop that among the 10 most sought-after universities, only LASU is state-government owned, demonstrating LASU’s capacity to compete favourably with federal universities that traditionally enjoy better funding, resources and national recognition.

Beyond the vice-chancellor’s leadership, accolades must be given to the Lagos State government under the leadership of Babajide Sanwo-Olu for its commitment to a stable and consistent academic calendar in LASU. While many federal universities have been held back by frequent strikes, LASU has maintained stability with students able to complete their courses of study within stipulated time-frame. This stability, coupled with the subsidised school fee regime, is a major pull factor for candidates of all ethnicities and their parents.

Another critical factor in LASU’s remarkable transformation is the unwavering support and cooperation of the university’s staff unions. Working hand-in-hand with the vice-chancellor, they have played a vital role in fostering and sustaining an academic environment that is truly conducive to learning and growth. At LASU today, student welfare is prioritised, outstanding performance is encouraged and duly rewarded, and opportunities abound for individuals to realise their full potential. Indeed, there is no better academic atmosphere in any public university in Nigeria today than what LASU offers, a testament to a shared commitment to excellence and collective progress.

Indeed, LASU’s transformation from candidates-reject, “vegetable university” or “glorified secondary school” to Nigeria’s most sought-after university is a testament to what is possible with the right leadership and support.

Looking forward, the next major challenge is building on and maintaining the momentum of excellence. But the management of LASU under the able leadership of Prof. Olatunji-Bello with the support of all stakeholders is more than capable of achieving this. This unwavering focus, even in the face of distractions, is exactly the reason we can say, “We are LASU, We are the Greatest!”

•Gbanja is media assistant to the LASU VC

 Frontline examination body, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has doubtless achieved much mileage in dealing exam malpractices a fatal blow. This it has done with the use of technology by way of computer-based testing in its Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME).

The body, last weekend, formally announced the results of the 2025 UTME sat by some 1.9 million candidates between 24th April and 5th May, this year. Its Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, said results of 39,834 candidates were being withheld over suspicion of infractions that were undergoing interrogation by the board. He reaffirmed JAMB’s commitment to eliminate all forms of malpractice, stating that 1,957,000 candidates were verified to sit for the exam while 71,705 were absent. “The 2025 UTME showed a prevalence of some particular types of infractions, which suggests systemic vulnerabilities or gaps in registration and examination administration and/or monitoring,” Oloyede said inter alia.

A particularly worrisome outcome of the matriculation exam was the mass rate of failure by candidates. JAMB reported that more than 1.5 million of the 1.9 million candidates whose results were released scored under 200 out of 400 obtainable points. UTME is graded on 400 marks, with candidates assessed in four subjects scored at 100 marks each. But the results unveiled by the examination board showed that 983,187 candidates (50.29 percent) scored between 160 and 199, and 488,197 candidates (24.97 percent) between 140 and 159. There were 57,419 candidates (2.94 percent) who scored between 120 and 139, while 24,535 scored less than 100.

High performers were, in contrast, rather few. Only 4,756 candidates (0.24 percent) scored 320 marks and above, while 7,658 candidates (0.39 percent) scored between 300 and 319. The total number of candidates who scored 300 and above stood at 12,414 (0.63 percent). A further 73,441 candidates (3.76 percent) scored between 250 and 299, while 334,560 candidates (17.11 percent) scored between 200 and 249 – the baseline range typically considered competitive for university admission.

Meanwhile, the government has determined that the bodies conducting secondary school leaving certificate examinations should emulate JAMB by migrating to CBT mode not later than next year. Education Minister Tunji Alausa directed the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) to adopt full computer-based testing for all their examinations by May/June 2026 in government’s determination to rid those examinations of malpractices.

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Speaking while inspecting JAMB’s CBT centres and digital control room during the matriculation examination, the minister said that by May/June 2026, both objectives and essay components of secondary school leaving examinations conducted by WAEC and NECO must be fully computer-based. “We are determined to eliminate examination malpractices by ensuring all exams, including practical and essay papers, migrate to CBT. If JAMB can successfully administer CBT exams for over 2.2 million candidates, then WAEC and NECO can also do it,” he argued.

WAEC and NECO are the bodies that conduct the Senior School Certificate Examinations (SSCE) for students completing secondary school, in which they are required to pass at least six subjects including English Language and Mathematics before being able to further their education at the tertiary level. Alausa said both bodies must begin conducting their objective papers in CBT mode from this year, and fully transition to include the essay component by May/June 2026. “By their 2026 exams that will come up in May/June, both the objectives and the essays will be fully on CBT. That is how we can eliminate exam malpractices. We want our children to study and not go ahead to have a perfect way of cheating,” he said. WAEC had already piloted computer-based testing for its private candidates in 2023, with over 8,000 candidates participating in that inaugural edition.

Following the announcement of the mass failure rate in 2025 UTME, the minister doubled down on the marching orders to WAEC and NECO. Speaking on a television programme early last week, he said the seemingly poor outcome of the JAMB examination indexed its high integrity and inability of candidates to cut corners. “It’s a reflection of exams being done the proper way. JAMB conducts its exam using a computer-based testing system. They’ve implemented strong security measures and as a result, fraud or cheating has been nearly eliminated. Unfortunately, we cannot say the same for WAEC and NECO,” he argued.

Alausa insisted that WAEC and NECO would begin migrating to CBT mode from November, this year, beginning with objective papers and fully integrate the essay component by May/June 2026. “We have to use technology to fight fraud. There are so many ‘miracle centres’ and that is simply unacceptable. People cheat during WAEC and NECO exams and then face JAMB, where cheating is nearly impossible. That’s the disparity we’re seeing now. It’s sad,” he said. According to him, examination malpractice not only undermines merit but also discourages diligent students. “The worst part of cheating is that it disincentivises the hard-working ones. If I’m preparing for WAEC or NECO and I know my classmates already have access to the questions, do you think I’ll still study hard?  No, I’ll be tempted to join them. That’s how good students are corrupted, and that’s what we must stop,” he stated.

Asked whether the poor performance of UTME candidates could not be an indication of decline in learning standards more than anti- cheating regulation enforcement by JAMB, the minister acknowledged both factors may have been at play but stressed the systemic issue of widespread malpractice. “We’re addressing the quality of teaching and using technology, including online classes, to support learning from primary to secondary levels. But the pervasive cheating in our high school exams, especially WAEC and NECO, is the core problem. JAMB is now almost 100 percent fraud-free, but WAEC and NECO still have major lapses. Our youths are intelligent, capable, and energetic. It’s the environment that corrupts them, and we’re determined to fix that,” he said. Alausa added that extensive consultations had been held with the leaderships of WAEC, NECO, the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), and the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS). “By November, this year, WAEC and NECO will begin CBT exams. There’s no going back on that,” he said.

The minister’s beef with systemic rot that allows for examination malpractice and the imperative of redress is totally valid. Of countries that have adopted computer-based testing for secondary-level exams primarily to stop cheating and improve efficiency in the assessment process, Indonesia offers an interesting case study. Reports said cheating in national exams was so rife in that country that a mother who blew the whistle that her child’s teacher promoted cheating was accused by other parents of being a ‘disgrace’ to the school.

Since 2015, the Indonesian government has worked at preventing cheating with the implementation of computer-based testing in grades 9 and 12 national exams – the end of junior and secondary school respectively. Researchers found that CBT not only resulted in substantially lower grades in schools that were notorious for cheating in national exams, it also curtailed cheating among schools that still administered exams on paper. Besides, after some time that CBT had been introduced and cheating was considerably curtailed, examination scores swung back on the rise, suggesting that learning outcomes improved after CBT came into use and that students had learnt less when they had the opportunity to cheat.

So, the minister was likely right about poor performance in UTME being a function of stiff anti-cheating regulation, following after corner-cutting in secondary certificate examinations. But the haste to reform the SSCE calls for caution. Unlike the UTME that is conducted in selected and equipped centres, secondary certificate exams are written by pupils in far-flung schools, some of them in remote locations yet straining for the trappings of civilisation. Meanwhile, computer-based testing is invariably dependent on infrastructure backbone like access to computer systems, network availability, reliable power supply, and requisite computer skill among examination staff everywhere.

These are conditions to be met before WAEC and NECO can safely plunge candidates in wholesale CBT mode. Pupils must not suffer for systemic glitches that would make the policy a race to wreck.

•Please join me on kayodeidowu.blogspot.be for conversation.