JAMB Defends Admission Policies for UTME Candidates

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) defended its admission policies regarding the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), asserting that O’Level results are a primary requirement for university admissions. JAMB Registrar Prof. Ishaq Oloyede and Head of Media and Publicity Dr. Fabian Benjamin explained that the UTME serves as a competitive tool for allocating limited admission spaces.

They emphasized that candidates must obtain five O’Level credits to qualify for admission, and the UTME score does not solely determine admission eligibility. Benjamin likened the examination process to a vehicle with limited seating, where only qualified candidates can "travel." JAMB also addressed the declining enrollment in teacher education programs, noting that institutions struggle to fill even 10% of their approved admission quotas.

They acknowledged the need for better incentives for teachers and proposed temporary measures to reverse this trend. Furthermore, JAMB apologized for candidates' difficulties accessing online services due to ongoing system upgrades and assured that the portal would reopen soon.