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Tag: Direct Entry

  • JAMB sets date to begin sales of direct entry forms

    JAMB sets date to begin sales of direct entry forms

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has said it would begin sales of Direct Entry forms to candidates seeking direct entry admissions into higher institutions on Wednesday, March 12.

    This is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Monday by the board’s Communications Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin, in Abuja on Monday.

    Benjamin said the registration process was crucial for individuals who possess degrees, diplomas, or A-level certificates and wish to advance their education at their preferred universities.

    According to him, the initiation of the DE sales follows the successful conclusion of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) application sales, which ended on Saturday, March 8, 2025.

    “During this period, JAMB recorded a total of 2,030,627 registrations for the 2025 UTME, along with 200,115 for the Mock-UTME and 630 applications for the trial mock,” he said.

    Benjamin explained that JAMB had emphasised the importance of adhering to all entry requirements, warning that serious penalties would be imposed on applications containing false declarations.

    “A special committee will verify all submitted Advanced A Level Qualifications, and any fraudulent results will lead to prosecution.

    “Additionally, institutions are encouraged to directly verify certificates before considering admissions,” he said.

    He added that registration for DE could only be done at JAMB Professional Registration Centres(PRC).

  • Again, JAMB extends 2024 DE registration

    Again, JAMB extends 2024 DE registration

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that the registration for Direct Entry has been extended till a later date.

    Dr Fabian Benjamin, Public Communication Advisor of the board, stated this in an interview on Thursday in Lagos.

    According to him, in a bid to ensure that no Nigerian child is denied access to quality higher education, the board has decided to move the closing date for the Direct Entry registration to a later date.

    JAMB had announced the commencement of the registration of the 2024 Direct Entry from Feb. 28 to March 28.

    The board also extended the exercise by two weeks, bringing the closing date for the registration to April 11, due to some factors.

    “Again, reports reaching us is that there is a surge by candidates, especially in Lagos, to beat this registration deadline.

    “The board want to call on all candidates yet to register for the DE, to calm down, as the registration deadline is again, extended.

    “This is because of the ongoing UTME in centres across the country.

    “Again, it also our mandate to ensure that no Nigerian desirous of access to quality education is left behind.

    “The board will soon announce a new date for the end of this year’s DE registration and so, candidates should relax, but ensure they register as soon as possible,” Benjamin said.

    Meanwhile, Benjamin has described this year’s UTME which commenced on Friday, April 19, as the best in the history of public examinations in the country.

    He said that the exercise which came to an end on Thursday, April 25, had indeed met the board’s expectations.

    “This year’s examination is adjudged to be the best in the annals of public examination in Africa, by all standards and I must say it has met the expectations of the board.

    “As we finish the 2024 exercise, the board is looking at cases of candidates who could not be verified and a position would be taken on its merit.

    “For all those who miss the examination on account of coming late and other related issues not connected to the fault of the board, will have to try next time.

    “Examination is only scheduled for candidates who were biometrically verified but unable to sit the examination,” he stated.

    “Meanwhile, I will not fail to commend our partners, such as the NIMC, security agencies and others for the huge role they played during the exercise.

    “Today, the board has drawn the curtain on this year’s UTME and we really want to appreciate these our partners, for the great role they played in ensuring this very successful outcome,” he said.

    The board’s public communication advisor specifically singled out the NIMC for being the game changer.

    He added that the NIMC platform used for the registration of candidates, demonstrated that it was possible to curb infractions of any nature, if the will was there.

    “The registration exercise starts with candidates sending their NIN number to the board’s USSD codes, to pull their details.

    “This has added significant value to the system, as malpractice starts from the point of registration. As soon as this stage is compromised the whole registration would have been gone,” he stated.

    Not less than 1.9 million candidates registered for this year’s UTME.

  • JAMB uncovers 1,665 fake A’Level results

    JAMB uncovers 1,665 fake A’Level results

    The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has uncovered at least 1,665 fake A’level results during the Direct Entry registration process.

    The board’s weekly bulletin made available to newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday, said the Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede gave the figures when he received officials of the National Association of Nigeria Colleges of Education Students, in his office.

    He explained that the A’level results verification was occasioned by the endemic corruption associated with the system and the need to restore the integrity of the admission process.

    According to him, out of the fake results, 397 were from Colleges of Education, 453 university diplomas and the rest for other A’level certificates.

    Oloyede said the institutions must take measures to safeguard the integrity of their certificates, adding that JAMB would continue to scrutinise the  certificates through measures that would stand the test of time.

    The registrar recalled that in the past, when a candidate applied for Direct Entry, the Board would simply ask awarding institutions to do the necessary screening and due diligence.

    He however said that JAMB was dumbfounded by the startling revelations from Bayero University, Kano, where out of the 148 Direct Entry applications to the institution, only six of the certificates forwarded for processing were genuine.

    The registrar added that it was the discovery of this monumental fraud that prompted the meeting of critical stakeholders, who met to chart ways of combating the menace.

    Part of the measures suggested, he said, was the constitution of an A’level result verification task force as well as the creation of a common platform for the verification of A’level results and certificates.

    He said the platform was reliable and user-friendly as it only took five minutes to verify any certificate.

    Oloyede also disclosed that the board had adopted “No verification, No admission” policy.

    The registrar said 15 institutions had not sufficiently complied with the verification requests from the board, adding that more than 20 unverified candidates were affected.

    He said that the board would have to pre-verify candidates applying with the certificates of the 15 institutions before they could complete their  DE registration process.

    According to him, in the ongoing DE registration, candidates could go ahead and register while the school verify them at the backend.

    He, however, declared that the 15 institutions, which were yet to fully comply, would have to pre-verify holders of their certificates before they complete registration process.

  • JAMB gives update on Direct Entry registration deadline

    JAMB gives update on Direct Entry registration deadline

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) says there will be no going back on the new deadline for the current registration of candidates for the Direct Entry examination.

    The Head, Information and Protocol of the board, Dr Fabian Benjamin, disclosed this on Wednesday in Lagos.

    Recall that the board had the registration of candidates for Direct Entry from Feb. 20 to May 13.

    However, registration of the candidates was restricted to just the zonal offices of the board across the country.

    The development created a surge that allegedly led to some candidates sleeping outside the gate of the Lagos zonal office of the board, all in a bid to beat the registration deadline.

    This led to a public outcry, as some stakeholders were insinuating plans by the board to disqualify many candidates from participating in the exercise.

    Reacting to the development, the board, opened another window for the direct entry on Tuesday, May, 23.

    The step was taken in a bid to counter the claims made against the board and give prospective candidates equal opportunity to sit for the examination.

    The board said that it had opened the registration at its Lagos office in Ikoyi and the JKK CBT Centre on Ikorodu Road.

    The new window for registration is to close on May 30.

    When NAN visited the JKK Centre, only 13 candidates were said to have come around for registration for the examination.

    Most of the JAMB officials who were on ground to carry out the registration were seen sitting and waiting patiently to receive more of the candidates.

    Other candidates that were seen at the centre were those who were about to regularise their PINs or do data corrections and related issues.

    “I want to appeal to parents, stakeholders and indeed the candidates in particular, to key into this last opportunity provided by the board to do this registration as there will be no further extension.

    “We have to create this additional access to respond to the cries of the public who may not know our mode of operation.

    “As a responsible organisation, we do all we can to ensure that all our candidates are given equal opportunity as against a video that went viral showing candidates sleeping outside our office gate in Ikoyi on their volition, just to get registered during the last minute deadline surge.

    “We have made our arrangements, we have made our calculations and we want to prove to the world that the platform we have is sufficient for the registration of our direct entry,” Benjamin said.

    He added that the board decided to bend backward because of its resolve not leave any Nigerian child craving for higher learning behind.

    According to him: JAMB has decided to toe the line of the public too and feelers from the registration centres in Lagos indicate that they are empty.

    “That is why we want to let every one be aware, so that when eventually we close registration, no one should accuse the board.

    “If we say that the candidates are not at the JKK Centre because they are not aware, what about our Ikoyi office which was originally the only place designated for the registration?

    “As we speak, only about 20 to 30 candidates have trickled in to get their registration done, even after sending SMS to those who had acquired their PIN.

    He explained that the board would not be compelled to get its hand bent backward, by some persons he described as mischief makers.

  • Direct entry registration to close on May 30th – JAMB

    Direct entry registration to close on May 30th – JAMB

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has said that the 2023 Direct Entry (DE) e-PIN sales would close on May 26, stating that the e-PIN would end on May 30.

    JAMB made this known via a statement signed and released by the board’s Head, Public Affairs and Protocol, Dr Fabian Benjamin in Abuja on Tuesday.

    He said it was later suspended to facilitate the incorporation of certain safeguards designed to enhance the sanctity of the exercise.

    Benjamin said the 2023 DE registration is unique among many others.

    He said it came with some features to enhance the board’s capacity to permanently address those loopholes, hitherto being exploited by some vested interests.

    ”It is, therefore, not at all surprising to witness the surge in the number of candidates in one or two of our offices.

    ”The new regime which has exposed the quantum of cases of falsifications and other infractions in the DE value chain,“he said.

    He said the exercise had enabled the board to capture only deserving candidates, with only pockets of outstanding candidates remaining in a couple of board’s offices, particularly in Lagos.

    The spokesman said that the board had adopted a scheduling system, where candidates are allocated to specific days for their registration to preclude any further incidence of overcrowding,” he said.

    He said the board was aware of the unwholesome actions of some tutorial centres and some desperate parents, conniving with some A’ level tutorial centres to perpetrate acts inimical to the education sector and national interests.

    He said the board would not hesitate to impose appropriate sanctions on any A’level awarding institutions found wanting.

    ”All A’level institutions are enjoined to be vigilant as there are deliberate intentions by desperate candidates to compromise their operations.

    ”All genuine aspiring candidates, who are yet to register for the exercise are urged to register as the board would not entertain any further extension,” he said.

  • JAMB makes big changes to UTME, Direct Entry

    JAMB makes big changes to UTME, Direct Entry

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has said that Direct Entry (DE) candidates seeking to gain admission to Nigerian universities will henceforth be required to sit for the UTME along with other candidates.

    JAMB said that the new policy was to ensure that the DE candidates justify the possession of their A’level certificates.

    This is disclosed in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the board’s Head, Public Affairs and Protocol, Dr Fabian Benjamin, at the end of its management committee meeting.

    He said the committee meeting was held to appraise the recent crisis witnessed in the conduct of the 2023 DE registration.

    Benjamin said the policy change was also to holistically address all loopholes giving rise to abuses in the DE admission processes.

    According to him, this policy is to be situated within the ambit of the board’s relentless efforts aimed at enhancing the growth of the nation’s education sector to promote transparency, accountability and good governance.

    He said the development underscored the board’s commitment and determination towards changing the negative narrative of A’level admissions into higher institutions in Nigeria.

    ”The board has expressed its commitment to press ahead with its efforts to reposition the conduct of public examinations in Nigeria.

    ”The board stated that the seeming crisis was birthed by the implementation of some of its newly-adopted processes aimed at curbing infractions in the  admission value chain given our national peculiarities.

    ”This policy is to be situated within the ambit of the Board’s relentless efforts aimed at enhancing the growth of the nation’s education sector as it would promote transparency, accountability and good governance,” he said.

    He added that the board had again remitted N2 billion as its interim surplus for the 2023 operating year, saying more would be remitted as its operations for the years were completed.

    He said this was in furtherance of the pledge by the Board Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede-led management, on assumption of duty to leverage on technology and discipline to manage the affairs of the board.

    ”Sinnce assuming office Prof. Oloyede-led management has remitted over N55 billion to the Federal Government coffers.

    “This is far above the less than the  N60 million remitted by the board in the 38 years of its existence prior to the appointment of Prof. Oloyede.

    ”On assumption of office of the current registrar, he had come up with a policy which holds that whatever would be done, must be on the table.

    ”This has changed the narratives such that JAMB now posts humongous returns to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF).

    ”These returns were bolstered by the board’s expanded internal capacities for its operations achieved through direct execution of its processes and procedures, which instantly resulted in, for instance, a savings of N1.2 billion being paid annually to a service provider.

    ”It also reflects a downward review of the N1.2 billion being annually paid to another to about N400 million with the same old service provider. This in addition to the recovery of over N1.2 billion in both cash and estates in choice areas of Abuja in 2016,” he said.

    Benjamin added that the steps had ensured that the board, which had remitted cumulatively in its 40 years of existence about N55 million to the national treasury, rendered N7.8 billion in the first year of the assumption of office of Oloyede.

    He said it had also contributed over N27 billion directly into the national treasury.

    ”The remitted amount is without prejudice to the 30 per cent reduction in its application fee (N10.8 billion in four years since the reduction).

    ”Capital Fund (N11 pbillion including N6 billion, which is yet to be committed), Annual Awards/Grants to tertiary institutions for Capital Projects (N1 billion) and Special Staff Welfare Scheme (N2 billion). This would aggregate the cumulative surplus to about N54 billion over the last six years,” he added.

  • BREAKING: JAMB extends 2023 DE registration

    BREAKING: JAMB extends 2023 DE registration

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has extended the closing date for the 2023 Direct Entry (DE) registration by one week.

    This is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Monday by the board’s Head of Public Affairs and Protocol, Dr Fabian Benjamin, after the board’s management meeting.

    Benjamin said that the DE registration exercise, which commenced on Monday, March 20, 2023, and billed to end on Thursday, April 20, 2023, had been extended by one week starting from Friday, April 21, 2023.

    According to him, the extension was partly to give all holders of Cambridge A/Level Certificates, who were unable to register for the exercise on account of some issues associated with the verification of their certificates another opportunity to do so.

    He said it would as well accommodate others, who wish to register but were unable to do so within the stipulated time.

    ”It should be noted that in its bid to ensure  the Cambridge A/L Certificate is onboarded in the verification process, the British Council is partnering with the board.

    ”And as such would be providing a verification portal for the seamless verification of its Cambridge Certificates as obtained with other categories of A/Level certificates.

    ”It is this provision of a verification portal by the Council that informed the board’s decision to reconsider its earlier stand on non-inclusion of Cambridge certificate for DE registration.

    ”Consequently, all holders of Cambridge Certificates, who desire to register for the 2023 Direct Entry, can now proceed to any of the board’s offices nearest to them to register for the exercise,” he said.

    Benjamin added that the consideration does not in any way include candidates awaiting Cambridge Certificates as “Awaiting Results” would not be accepted.

    ”It would be recalled that the board, after series of discoveries of falsification of  A/Level results, modified its DE registration platform to ensure, among others, that only certificates with verifiable processes are allowed as entry requirements for the DE exercise.

    ”To streamline the process, the board had also published a number of certificates that are allowed for DE registration which had, hitherto, excluded the Cambridge Certificate.

    ”It was against this backdrop that the British Council had dispatched a high-level delegation, which met with the management of the board to explore the possibility of establishing a credible verification platform for its Cambridge A/L Certificates.

    ”And by so doing, curb incidences of falsification of results as being experienced with many other A/L certificates approved as part of DE entry requirements,” Benjamin said.

  • JAMB resumes direct entry registration – Oloyede

    JAMB resumes direct entry registration – Oloyede

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has revealed that it has resumed the 2023 Direct Entry registration nationwide.

    Professor Is-haq Oloyede, the regisrtrar of JAMB, made this known at a press conference on Monday in Abuja.

    According to the registrar, the DE registration would come toa close on April 28, 2023.

    While lamenting the high level of forgery of A Level certificates used for the registration, Oloyede said the board had introduced new guidelines to check such acts.

    He said, “You will recall that the board commenced the 2023 Direct Entry registration on Monday, 20th February, 2023, but had to immediately suspend it following the discovery of the plethora of devices and machinations to circumvent and compromise the standard of A’ Level qualifications required from DE candidates.

    “Recall that recent joint operations of the Federal Ministry of Education and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission on DE qualifications brought to light some of these unsavoury and nefarious activities.

    “Bayero University, Kano  has also consistently brought to the fore the high rate of forgery of A’ Level qualifications for DE.
    For instance, it was discovered that in previous years, some candidates used unacceptable and forged A’ level certificates/qualifications to register for Direct Entry and eventually got admitted. For example, out of 148 candidates verified by BUK, only six were found to be genuine. By implication, 142 of the results were forged.

    “The Board, concerned stakeholders and institutions are working assiduously to detect such and the ones already found are being dealt with according to the provisions of the law.”

    Speaking further, Oloyede said the Board would only  accept 13 qualifications/certificates for the 2023 Direct Entry registration, which include; first degree, university diploma, Higher National Diploma, Ordinary National Diploma /National Diploma and Nigeria Certificate in Education.

    Others are Interim Joint Matriculation Board A’ Level, Joint Universities Preliminary Examination Board A’ Level,
    NABTEB Advanced National Business Certificate, NABTEB Advanced National Technical Certificate,  NABTEB GCE-A’ Level (2015 – 2021), Higher Islamic Studies Certificate by NBAIS, International Baccalaureate  and the  National Registered Nurse /National Registered Midwife.

    He, however, said that the 127 candidates who had earlier registered for the 2023 DE before the exercise was suspended would be requested to return to the registration centres and update their application.

    The JAMB boss also revealed that the data bank put in place to address challenges associated with the A’ Level qualifications
    had now been renamed as ‘Nigeria Post-secondary Education Data System’.

    On the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, Oloyede said JAMB had introduced new measures in the conduct of the exam and called for understanding.

    “The Board has instituted some measures which are to be deployed during the 2023 UTME exercise. Despite the fact that the innovations have been tested and certified, yet it is not unlikely that some hiccups might spring up when the new technology is deployed live and nationwide. We therefore solicit your support and understanding as we promptly address any unforeseen circumstances.

    “One major feature of the new dispensation is that no examination would be allowed to take place after one hour of its scheduled start time because the Board has discovered that some of the problems reported at the centres are contrived to delay the commencement of a session in some centres with a view to securing undue advantage for the delayed candidates.

    “Consequently, any session that, for whatever reason(s), could not take off within one hour of its schedule is automatically rescheduled. When such occurs, affected candidates are expected to file out of the examination hall into the waiting hall and await the new scheduled time and place which most likely would be the same or following day,” he said.
  • Just In: JAMB suspends registration for 2023 Direct Entry

    Just In: JAMB suspends registration for 2023 Direct Entry

    JAMB on Tuesday suspended the 2023 Direct Entry registration, which began on Monday, Feb. 20, till further notice

    Its spokesman, Dr Fabian Benjamin stated in Abuja that the suspension was to enable the deployment of certain measures, designed to serve prospective candidates better.

    He said a new date and fresh registration procedures would be announced in due course.

    The new procedure would include the upload of JAMB admission letter in the case of OND and NCE; admission.

    It would entail the upload of letter issued by universities in the case of university Diploma, and admission letter issued by `A’ Level examination bodies, he explained.

    The registration, which began on Monday, Feb 20, was initially scheduled to end on Thursday, April 20.

    Benjamin advised candidates to note that only JAMB offices nationwide were approved to register them for Direct Entry.

  • UTME candidates can now self-generate profile codes – JAMB

    UTME candidates can now self-generate profile codes – JAMB

    Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) says Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) candidates can now generate profile codes themselves and save such for use when registration commences.

    The board disclosed this in its Weekly Bulletin issued on Monday in Abuja.

    According to JAMB, the development is part of measures to ensure a seamless 2023 UTME registration through the elimination of bottlenecks.

    The board also said that the move was part of the build-up to the commencement of the exercise, billed to start in the next couple of weeks.

    It said: “Candidates are advised to get their National Identification Number (NIN), as it is a prerequisite for UTME and Direct Entry (DE) registrations.

    “Candidates are required to use a unique mobile phone number for the process and such number can only be used by one candidate.

    “To generate their profile codes, candidates are expected to send: NIN (one space) then their NIN number (11 digits number) by text (SMS) to either 55019 or 66019 from their personal GSM number.

    “A profile code of 10 characters will be received by the candidate on the same telephone number,’’ it explained.

    JAMB also advised candidates to note that the phone number used to send the text message to either of the two quick codes is automatically tied to their respective names.

    This, it added, would also be used by the board in all communications relating to application, examination and admission.

    The board also urged prospective candidates to heed its strict warning against the use and application of henna, also called “Lalle’’.

    According to JAMB, this is to avoid experiencing biometric verification challenges, as it has been established that application of henna on the fingers obstructs the process of biometric verification.

    “Also, in an attempt by candidates to clean their fancy henna designs, they use chemicals that damage the whorls on their fingers, hence making biometric verification and authentication difficult, if not impossible,’’ it said.

    JAMB further stated that its “no biometrics, no examination” policy remained effective, while urging candidates to desist from any act that could jeopardise their chances of taking the UTME.