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No uniform UTME cut-off mark for tertiary institution admissions, says JAMB

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The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has clarified that there is no such thing as a uniform national minimum score for admission into tertiary institutions in the country.

JAMB had revealed that it is looking to host a policy meeting with education stakeholders on July 18 ahead of 2024 admissions.

At this meeting, the minimum cut-off marks submitted to it by the respective tertiary institutions are to be deliberated on and approved.

In its weekly bulletin, the board clarified that there is no uniform Unified Tertiary Matriculation Exam (UTME) cut-off mark for admissions.

It stated that it does not dictate any national minimum threshold for admissions but only holds the institutions to account for their own pre-set standards.

The board said this is to prevent undue adjustments when admissions commence.

“The board conducts the UMTE and hands over the results to institutions for the conduct of admissions. Before the admission exercise commences, a policy meeting is held with all the heads of the institutions in attendance,” JAMB said.

“At this meeting, the admission guidelines, which include recommendations from individual institutions and their preferred minimum admission score, are presented and deliberated upon.

“JAMB is only a member among the over a thousand participants at the meeting.

“Before the meeting, more than 50% of the universities would have submitted in writing their minimum scores of 200 and above to the board for presentation to the meeting for deliberation. The same applies to the other tiers of tertiary institutions.

“This process implies that no institution would be able to admit any candidate with any score below what they had submitted as their minimum score.”

JAMB said the policy meeting does not reduce the minimum prescription emanating from the institutions except in a few situations.

It also addressed misconceptions that minimum cut-off marks are overwhelmingly the criterion by which candidates are admitted.

“UTME score is just one of the two or three scores that are generally cumulated to obtain the eventual aggregate score and ranking of the candidates by most institutions,” the board added.

“Other parameters are Post-UTME/Post-A/L qualifications screening test score, O/L grade score, and in some cases physical test (such as applicable in the Nigerian Defence Academy/Police Academy).

“It is the score from all these segments that are added together to have an eventual ranking table.”

Education

Governor Abba Yusuf donates N2m to islamic school

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Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, has donated N2 million to Mu’assasatu Balarabe Bello Hamza Islamic School, located on Sokoto Road in the state capital.

The donation was announced during the Qur’anic graduation ceremony of 13 students held on Sunday at the school premises.

Represented by the Commissioner for Education, Ali Haruna Makoda, the governor highlighted the significance of learning the Holy Qur’an and applying its teachings in daily life.

He congratulated the graduating students, their parents, and teachers on the milestone and encouraged them to expand their knowledge beyond religious studies.

A press statement issued by the Director of Public Enlightenment at Kano Government House, Usman Gwadabe, revealed that certificates were presented to the 13 graduates during the event.

Speaking at the occasion, the Head Teacher, Mallam Jamilu Yusha’u, stated, “The school was named after the late Balarabe Bello Hamza, who established the school for special extra lessons for children during the holidays.”

However, he prayed to the Almighty Allah to forgive him and reward him for the good work he did for the benefit of humanity.

In his remarks, the Director-General of Protocol, Kano Government House, Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim Rogo, who delivered the vote of thanks on behalf of the parents and the school authorities appreciated Yusuf’s good gesture for the “donations and for his administration’s readiness toward improving the educational sector in the state.”

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UNIOSUN mandates new students to apply for student loan

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The Vice-Chancellor, Osun State University, Professor Clement Adebooye, has mandated the institution’s fresh students to apply for Federal Government student loan anchored by the National Education Loan Fund, NELFUND.

This is as he disclosed that the university could only admit 11,000 students out of the 30,000 that applied for the 2024 academic session.

Speaking at the 18th Matriculation ceremony held at the Olagunsoye Oyinlola Auditorium at the main campus in Osogbo on Friday, he assured the newly admitted students of the timely completion of their courses of study.

He disclosed that the FG loan scheme would make learning easy for the new students due to the ongoing economic crisis in the country; hence, new students must apply for the loan.

His words, “I must also seize this opportunity to announce to you the opportunity for student loans provided by the Federal Government through NELFUND. As this is an intervention to cushion the effect of economic hardship on students, the management of this institution has decided that every new student must apply and access it to further make student life easy for you”.

He charged the newly admitted students to work tirelessly to achieve academic progression, saying they are among the few lucky ones to gain admission.

“It will interest you all to note that well over 30,000 candidates applied for admission into the university this year. Of this lot, we are only able to admit 11,000 (approximately one-third) into the various academic programmes across colleges and campuses. Though this means you are among the very lucky few admitted, it also shows you have all it takes to be undergraduates in any Nigerian university.

“But then, you all have to note for your all-time guidance that it is not everyone that starts any race that usually completes the race. The race in this context is competence building and knowledge acquisition, which come with regular lectures, assignments, tests, examinations, and character moulding all through your residency here.

“In this esteemed institution, we uphold the values of integrity, discipline, and moral uprightness. Social vices such as examination malpractice, cultism, indecent dressing, drug abuse, sexual harassment, and truancy are strongly condemned,” he added.

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Outrage as students reject renaming of UniAbuja after Yakubu Gowon

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Students of the University of Abuja have vehemently opposed the Federal Government’s decision to rename their institution after former military leader Yakubu Gowon.
The announcement, approved by the Federal Executive Council on Monday, December 16, has sparked widespread protests.

Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, disclosed the council’s resolution following its final 2024 meeting at Aso Rock Villa. However, students and alumni immediately reacted with anger.

On Thursday, December 19, students rallied at the university’s main gate, holding placards with messages such as “The voice of men is the voice of God,” “We stand for UniAbuja,” and “Solve hunger problems, not renaming UniAbuja.”

Comrade Nkem Silas, President of the Students Union Government (SUG), urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reconsider the decision.

“Renaming the university can have psychological effects on students. We will formally express our concerns to the Federal Ministry of Education through the Vice Chancellor,” Silas said.

Prof Jeremiah Vambe, an alumnus and lecturer in the Department of Public Administration, also criticised the move.

“Renaming the university involves economic, legal, and psychological costs. The law establishing the University of Abuja must be amended to accommodate this change,” Vambe explained.

Comrade Adamu Abdulbasit, President of the Abuja Indigenous Students Association (AISA), proposed an alternative.

“Instead of renaming UniAbuja, the Federal Government should complete the abandoned University of Science & Technology in Abaji and name it after Ladi Kwali University, Abuja,” Abdulbasit suggested.

The protests highlight the growing discontent among students and stakeholders, who see the renaming as threatening the university’s identity and legacy.

Calls for a reversal are gaining momentum as the controversy unfolds.

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