By Juliet Okafor (Managing Editor) @AuntyJVIN
Heads of all tertiary institutions in Nigeria have agreed with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to conclude all arrangements and processes regarding the 2020/2021 admissions by June 15 this year.
A statement at the weekend in Abuja by the JAMB's Head of Media and Publicity, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, said JAMB had directed that public universities would conclude admissions a month ahead of private institutions, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
The statement also said JAMB and heads of institutions reached the agreement at a virtual meeting on Wednesday (Feb. 24) where all matters pertaining to the admissions process were discussed and concluded.
According to JAMB, the agreements are as follows:
” That all admissions in the nation’s tertiary institutions for the 2020/2021 Academic Session would end by June 15.
” The decision was collectively taken at a virtual meeting with heads of tertiary institutions in the country on 24th February 2021,” it said.
The board said that the meeting was aimed at knowing the level the institutions had reached on the 2020/21 Admissions scale.
JAMB explained that the essence of the interactive session was to forestall an endless admission regime generated by disruptions to daily life occasioned especially by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The meeting was also to enable the board to put necessary machinery in place for 2021/2022 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination and Direct Entry Registration.
According to him, only 30% of institutions have commenced admissions into the 2020/2021 Academic Session.
” Stakeholders collectively agreed that all public universities would be expected to finish admissions on or before 15th May, while private universities would complete theirs at the agreed date of June 15.
” This also includes all IEIs, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
” The decision on the chosen deadlines remains sacrosanct and binding on all institutions.
“The board will not tolerate a breach of the collective decision reached,” it said.
JAMB stated that it would announce, in a week’s time, the commencement date for the sale of application documents for the 2021/2022 Academic Session.
It also urged all institutions to adhere strictly to advisories issued to them on inter-university transfers, intra-university transfers, foreign inter-university transfers, and fresh foreign candidates.
JAMB however advised them to adhere to advisories on change of programs and institutions and other essential processes relating to admission. The board said adherence is to avoid bickering that could endanger the future of candidates and their subsequent mobilization for the National Youth Service Corps.
JAMB said that transfer of candidates within institutions locally or internationally was acceptable but must follow due process, adding that as a responsible organization and gatekeeper, it would not allow the process to be circumvented to allow unqualified candidates to gain access to the country’s institutions.
“JAMB would not be a party to any improper transfer or breach of set guidelines.
” Adequate measures or checks must be done to verify if such candidates meet minimum requirements or possess the prerequisite qualifications to be in the institution in the first instance.” (With reports from NAN). NNL.
