JAMB scraps national cut off marks, varsities now to determine own admission grade

2021 Policy Meeting on Admissions to higher Institutions in Nigeria has cancelled the benchmark of National Cut-off marks and agreed that each institution should set minimum cut-off mark for its admissions.

The stakeholders gave the approval during the 2021 policy meeting held on Tuesday at the head office of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

The meeting resolved that the minimum benchmark proposed to JAMB must be adhered to.

At the meeting Chaired by the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, Registrar of JAMB, Prof Ishaq Oloyede disclosed that every Institution had determined and proposed its cut off mark to the board.

According to Professor Oloyede specific universities such as University of Maiduguri proposed 150, Usman Dan Fodio University Sokoto proposed 140, Pan Atlantic University 210, University of lagos 200, Lagos State University190, Covenant University190, Bayero University Kano, 180.

The JAMB Registrar hinted that JAMB has included Computer studies and Physical and Health studies to it Test subjects for 2022 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations.

”We are adding Computer Studies and Physical Health to our subjects, JAMB will now have 25 subjects that it tests candidates on,” he said.

Oloyede noted that the 2020 admission could not be concluded on time due to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike.

The meeting agreed that another meeting will hold in October 2021, to determine when admissions into both public and private tertiary institutions will end.

The stakeholders also agreed to exempt prison inmates, the visually impaired as well as foreign students from sitting for post UTME in any tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

The Minister, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Sonny Echono, commended the partnership between the National Identity Management Commission NIMC and JAMB saying it birthed successful deployment of National Identification Number (NIN) for candidates registration.

“I am enthused that the last examination recorded the lowest cases of examination irregularities in the history of the board because those who will normally have exploited the weak links through biometrics infractions had been effectively check mated within the introduction of NIN by JAMB,”  he stated.

Adamu disclosed that WAEC has decided to also use NIN to curb examination malpractices.

He reiterated that all tertiary institutions must make use of the biometrics and photograph of prospective candidates which have been provided by JAMB.

Adamu emphasised that this would guarantee authenticity of candidates’ identity.

The Minister of Education further warned that consequence of admissions conductors outside of CAPs is grievous as it subjects candidates to nemesis of illegal admission.

“I consider such act as direct affront on the system and appropriate sanctions shall be Applied on those found involved in such disruptive act.”

Chairman House Committee on Tertiary Education, Hon Aminu Suleiman said issues addressed by JAMB were also matters being raised by members of the public, as he expressed satisfaction with the boards’ capacity to engage directly with institutions on the admission of candidates.

He further noted that the collaboration between JAMB and institutions to stamp out malpractice was what the sector needed.