The Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) boards in Kenya and Uganda have written to Nigeria to verify the qualifications of Nigerian applicants vying for admission to universities in their respective nations.
This was revealed by JAMB on Wednesday in a document titled “Registrar’s Report on 2023 ADMISSION & 2024 UTME Policy Meeting.”
This action was taken in response to JAMB discovering instances of false certification. In addition, 101 University of Calabar (UNICAL) graduates whose certificates were revoked by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) were mobilized for service in 2021, 2022, and 2023.
In the document, JAMB emphasized the need to shield Nigeria’s postsecondary educational institutions from international shame and declared that it would not manipulate any student’s records.
“Uganda and Kenya examination boards are now writing to JAMB to confirm records presented by candidates for admission of candidates. JAMB would not falsify records,” JAMB stated.
This comes after accusations of certificate racketeering led the Federal Government to suspend the authentication of degree certificates from countries such as Kenya, Benin, Togo, Uganda, and others.
In an effort to stop the peddling of fraudulent degrees, JAMB has also threatened to fine universities that do not submit records of students accepted right after matriculation.
According to Fabian Benjamin, a spokesman for JAMB, the project is one of the suggestions put out by a committee that was established by the federal government to fight the nation’s problem of fraudulent degrees.
According to a ‘CLARIFICATION ON DISCLOSURE OF ADMITTED CANDIDATES OUTSIDE CAPS( 2017-DATE)’ by JAMB, institutions are to “regularly submit their matriculation lists to the Federal Ministry of Education not later than three months after matriculation ceremonies.”
“The Board has observed a large number of candidates thronging its offices to resolve issues related to the disclosure of candidates admitted outside the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) from 2017 to date.
While we appreciate the enthusiasm, we must correct the misconception that the focus is on candidates’ actions. The true emphasis lies with the institutions, which must disclose all candidates admitted outside CAPS before the August 31st, 2024, deadline.
“This directive requires immediate attention and compliance. We urge institutions to carefully review our initial letter and ensure full compliance, as failure to disclose will result in severe consequences. Candidates are also reminded not to accept admissions outside CAPS.
“The Board reiterated that candidates not disclosed by institutions would not be entertained. The Board will not tolerate any confinement of undisclosed admissions moving forward.”
To stop undeclared admissions, the Education Ministry has instructed JAMB to impose required conditions for admissions procedures and regular submission of matriculation lists.
Additionally, Tahir Mamman, the minister of education, has committed to remove those who have fabricated degrees from the Nigerian educational system.
