JAMB Cautions Parents Against False Admission Denial Claims

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has advised parents to refrain from making unfounded allegations against universities regarding the perceived unfair denial of admission to their children.

In a statement released on Sunday, February 4, 2025, by JAMB’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, the Board addressed recent complaints, including a widely circulated case involving Mr. Godwin Nsan, who accused the University of Calabar of unjustly denying his son admission.

JAMB Clarifies Admission Criteria

JAMB explained that the candidate in question had scored 201 in UTME with an aggregate score of 34%, which fell below the university’s admission cut-offs of 55% (Merit), 35% (Catchment), and 35% (ELDS).

“He had unduly castigated the university, but when he finally provided the required details, it became clear that his child did not meet the admission criteria,” Dr. Benjamin stated.

More Unfounded Allegations

Similarly, a senior public figure accused Modibbo Adama University, Yola, of admission irregularities, but JAMB’s investigation proved the claims baseless.

In another case, a father alleged that his son, who scored 345 in UTME, was unfairly denied admission by the University of Jos. Upon investigation, JAMB discovered that the candidate ranked 86th, while only 68 candidates could be admitted based on merit. The father later apologized after understanding the ranking process.

Abuse of the ‘Exceptionally Brilliant’ Window

JAMB also warned against misuse of the ‘exceptionally brilliant window’, a category introduced for candidates under 16 years old. The Board noted that many unqualified candidates have been registered under this category, unlike global standards where only a small number of students qualify.

Crackdown on Admission Fraud

Reaffirming its commitment to fair and transparent admissions, JAMB disclosed that a senior university official is currently being prosecuted for admission fraud, with four others under investigation.

“We urge parents to refrain from jumping to conclusions without considering the performance of other candidates. The UTME serves as a ranking examination, determining a candidate’s position within a cohort for the limited available spaces in our nation’s tertiary institutions,” Dr. Benjamin stated.

Conclusion

JAMB has reiterated its stance on transparent and merit-based admissions while urging parents to verify facts before making public allegations. The Board continues to enforce strict measures to ensure credibility, ensuring that only deserving candidates secure admission into tertiary institutions.