Fabian Benjamin, the head of Media and Information at the Joint Matriculation Board (JAMB), has released a statement containing the exact criteria for 2016 admission.
According to the report made available by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday, July 10 in Lagos, it was gathered that the admission of candidates into tertiary institutions will be based purely on three pillars, which included: merit, catchment and educationally less developed states.
The statement reads in part: “Sequel to the recent workshop convened by the Minister of Education on the modality for 2016 admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria, the Federal Government approved the re-enforcement of admissions guideline recognised by law.
“This is following the cancellation of the post Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). “This is not the point system as widely circulated in some media.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the board wishes to state clearly that the point system is an illustration by the Registrar of JAMB.
“It is meant to demonstrate how a few institutions were using the point system to select candidates while some of their counterparts were subjecting candidates to written test.
“The illustrations are contained in a paper presented by the registrar and placed on our website and was adopted by the media wrongly as the 2016 guideline for admission.”
The statement also revealed that the three pillars would be strictly followed, adding that candidates are to present their Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) results/Advanced Level (AL) results for verification and clearing purposes, while also noting that WAEC, NECO and NBTE results or its equivalent were acceptable as matriculation requirements.
Each candidate, according to the statement, is expected to have a minimum of five credits at SSCE, including English, Mathematics and any other three relevant subjects to his or her discipline.
The statement added: “Any candidate that does not possess the requirements as listed above is deemed to have failed the screening.
“Consideration of the recommended list as forward by JAMB should be completed within one month from the date of receipt of the list.
“Any institution that has a shortfall in the admitted candidates could make-up for candidates from other departments on the institutions list.
“Reasons for rejection of candidates on the list should be clearly stated with proof provided alongside.
“This is imperative so that the general public will note the correct process.”