JAMB Defends UTME Policy on O'Level Results for Admission

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) defended its Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) policy, asserting that O'Level results remain a primary requirement for admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria. JAMB Registrar Prof. Ishaq Oloyede and head of media Dr. Fabian Benjamin explained that the UTME serves as a competitive tool for allocating limited admission spaces, emphasizing that candidates must obtain five O'Level credits to qualify.

They likened the examination process to a vehicle with limited seating, where only a few can be accommodated. JAMB also addressed the decline in enrollment in teacher education programs, revealing that many institutions struggle to fill even 10% of their approved admission quotas.

The board acknowledged the challenges candidates face in accessing its online services due to ongoing upgrades and apologized for any difficulties experienced. Furthermore, JAMB clarified that the admission portal will remain open throughout the admission season unless institutions request its closure.