The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has said that the earlier cancellation of post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination for candidates seeking admission into universities created a high level of corrupt practices in the country’s education
system.
The board, which described the cancellation as a disaster, however, applauded the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, for the reintroduction of the post-UTME system for admission into universities in the country.
Registrar, JAMB, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, stated this during the foundation laying ceremony of a 500-seater Computer Based Test hall, being constructed by the Nigerian Communication Commission in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
Oloyede lamented that the earlier ban on post-UTME forced candidates seeking admission into the universities last year to exploit their grades in the West African Examination Council’s results.
“What happened, which was a disaster, was that we discovered that some people were exploiting the policy to create very high level of corruption. What was it? A candidate who has C6 would claim A1 and he would, therefore, rank higher and he would be admitted. After the admission, he goes there to register with C6. C6 is acceptable because that is the minimum.” he added.
The former vice chancellor of the University of Ilorin, however, saluted Adamu’s courage for the reintroduction of the post-UTME, saying that JAMB was ready to implement the minister’s decision.
He said, “I believe the minister is such a courageous person. If I happen to be the minister, I would not have the courage to adjust the policy, because he’s someone who does something when he believes such a thing is good. And when he discovered it would lead to further corruption, he stopped it. JAMB is very appreciative of that because we believe that if he had not taken the position he took now, it will corrupt the system.
“The earlier decision he took was what he felt was proper, but realising how Nigerians were extorting or exploiting that policy, he has reviewed and adjusted it. We are ready to implement the minister’s decision, not because it is the minister’s decision, but we believe it is professionally right and correct.”
While laying the foundation of the centre in company with the Alake and paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, Governor Ibikunle Amosun said that the construction of such a mega CBT center was overdue as it would bring development to the
state.
