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Tag: UTME

  • No going back on UTME biometrics – says JAMB

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), says it will not rescind its decision on the use of biometrics in the conduct of its Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

    This is contained in the board’s weekly bulletin issued on Sunday in Lagos.

    According to the bulletin the importance of biometrics in the conduct of the board’s examination cannot be overemphasised.

    It noted that the Biometrics Verification Machine (BVM) was introduced by the board in an attempt to get rid of the numerous forms of examination malpractice.

    It said the BVM was a security mechanism used for the authentication of candidates’ identity as it provided access to the individual data, based on physiological characteristics.

    “The core value of a biometric verification process lies in its ability to provide extra layers of security and protection against counterfeiting and impersonation.

    “The increasing threat of identity fraud during the board’s UTME before the advent of the BVM necessitated its introduction for capturing biometrics of candidates to counter fraud.

    “The candidate’s 10 fingers are captured during registration and are used as clearance to admit them into the examination hall.

    “There are various types of biometric solutions but JAMB opted for finger print recognition, to eliminate all forms of infractions.

    “Biometric security is surely a breakthrough for the board, because the finger prints recognition technology provides a greater degree of security as it is impossible to steal, forget, loose or compromise data already captured.

    “Therefore, the adoption of biometrics in the conduct of our examination is here to stay,” the bulletin noted.

    It reassured candidates that their finger prints would not be used for any purpose other than identification.

    According to the bulletin, the benefits of the BVM are immense and indispensible to the assessment process.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the board had prior to the commencement of the sales of its 2019 registration documents on Feb. 10, warned that it would not re-schedule any examination for candidates with biometric issues.

    It added that candidates with issues of biometrics must visit the board’s headquarters in Abuja to be captured.

    The bulletin noted that out of a total of 52 candidates with such challenges nationwide, only 22 showed up at the board’s headquarters for the process.

    Meanwhile the bulletin also noted that the slash in the UTME fee by the Federal Government had increased the number of candidates who want to sit for the examination.

    It said government had announced the reduction of the fees for the examination from N5, 000 to N3, 500.

    The board’s Head, Media and Information, Dr Fabian Benjamin had told NAN in an interview that over 1.8 million candidates had registered for the examination.

    “The board had in the past six weeks put its UTME and Direct Entry application documents from Feb. 10 to Feb. 21.

    “Many candidates been interviewed disclosed that they were encouraged to register when they discovered that they could afford the new fees,” the bulletin said.

     

  • JAMB registers 1.8m candidates for 2019 UTME

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) says it has registered over 1.8 million candidates for the 2019 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

    The Head, Media and Information of the board, Dr Fabian Benjamin, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos.

    NAN reports that registration of candidates for the all Computer Based Test (CBT) commenced on Feb. 10 and terminated on Feb. 21.

    Benjamin said that the registration was a huge success, adding that there were no hitches at all across the various accredited registration centres nationwide.

    “We have concluded the registration and we recorded over 1.8 million candidates for the UTME this year.

    “Registration closed on Feb. 21, when we stopped the pin vending for the exercise.

    “However, some candidates who had acquired the pin but were unable to register before Feb. 21, due to one reason or the other, were allowed to do so till 12 midnight, Feb. 25.

    “The registration finally closed on Feb. 25, he said.

    The JAMB spokesman dismissed rumours in some quarters that candidates could start printing their examination notification slip from March 2.

    “This is misleading and absolutely not correct.

    “Let me sound it clearly that the board has not come up with any date for both the examination and the printing of examination notification slip for candidates.

    “The board will announce the date for the 2019 UTME soon.

    “As it is now, no date has been fixed yet for both the examination and the printing of examination notification slip.

    “The examination slips are usually printed, two weeks to the main examination, but that is only after when the examination date has been fixed.

    “There is no way anybody can print examination notification slip when the examination date, itself, has not been fixed.”

    He, therefore, urged candidates and other stakeholders to remain calm, reassuring them that the board would make announcement and proper sensitisation about the date for the examination and printing of examination notification slip.

  • JAMB closes sale of 2019 UTME registration forms

    JAMB closes sale of 2019 UTME registration forms

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has closed the sale of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) forms.

    The board’s Head of Media, Dr Fabian Benjamin told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the sales of the forms, ended on Thursday.

    Benjamin, however, said that online registration was still ongoing.

    Benjamin said, “This is because some people earlier bought e-pins for the exams but were unable to register before now, so we are monitoring them online and would avail them the opportunity to register.

    ” Therefore, we cannot give the exact figure of the registered candidates for now until this is over. ”

    He added that the registration would continue until the board decided.

    NAN reports that the board had commenced the sale and online registration of 2019 to 2020 UTME forms on January 10 and was scheduled to end on Feb. 21.

    On the issue of rescheduled dates for both the mock and main examinations, Benjamin said that the board was yet to decide on a new date but would give updates as soon as possible.

    NAN reports that the board considered rescheduling the initial dates for the examination because of the shift of dates for the general elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

    Speaking also on the suspension of 17 Computer Based Test (CBT) centres across the country, Benjamin said that the suspension would not, in any way, affect the process of the examinations as the board had over 700 accredited centres nationwide.

     

  • BREAKING: JAMB shifts UTME exams

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board ( JAMB ) has shifted the dates for the conduct of the 2019 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME).

    The management of the board is currently in a meeting to decide a new date for the examinations.

    Details shortly…

  • 2019 UTME: JAMB registers over 1.6 million few days to closure

    2019 UTME: JAMB registers over 1.6 million few days to closure

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) says not less than 1.8 million candidates would be registered for its 2019 UTME by the end of the registration exercise scheduled for Feb. 21.

    The Board’s Head, Media and Information, Dr Fabian Benjamin, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Lagos.

    Benjamin expressed satisfaction at the ongoing registration exercise nationwide, adding that so far, it had been smooth with little or no hitches.

    The registration of candidates for this year’s all Computer Based Test (CBT) Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), commenced on Feb. 10.

    Meanwhile an official bulletin of the board tagged ‘jambulletin’ issued on Sunday said over 1.6 million candidates had registered for the examination between Feb. 10 and Feb. 15, nationwide, with Lagos recording the highest, with 234,259 candidates.

    According to the bulletin, preparations for the successful conduct of the examination scheduled to commence few weeks from now is in top gear.

    Also contained in the bulletin is the restatement of the unlikely extension of the registration deadline by the board.

    “Candidates would commence the reprinting of their examination notification slips two weeks to the examination date.

    “On the examination slip are candidates’ schedule for the examination, date, time and centre, as well as other necessary information about the examination.

    “Two weeks to the commencement of the examination, candidates will have their slips placed on their profiles.

    “However, in the event where candidates could not access their slip, such candidates can visit the board’s service portal,on www.jamb.org.ng to print the slip,” the bulletin stated.

    It also said that messages would as well be sent to candidates, informing them on when to reprint their e-slip.

    According to the bulletin, the processes are all automated to keep candidates abreast of developments, just as messages will be sent to all candidates informing them on when to print their e-slip.

    The bulletin warned candidates against coming into the examination halls with prohibited items such as wrist watches, telephones and others.

    It re-assured candidates that the board was working round the clock to guarantee their full participation during the examination.

     

  • 2019 UTME: JAMB warns against illegal centres

    2019 UTME: JAMB warns against illegal centres

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has called on prospective candidates to disregard advertisements in the social media announcing sales of registration documents with some illegal centres and subject combinations.

    The board’s Head, Media and Information, Dr Fabian Benjamin, gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Lagos.

    He said: “It has come to the notice of the board that some fraudsters have listed out centres for the examination and in the process, inserted some illegal ones.

    “Let me state here that all the processes concerning the board can only be done by approved Computer Based Centres (CBT).”

    According to Benjamin, over 700 centres have so far been accredited for the conduct of the 2019 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) scheduled to commence on March 16.

    He said JAMB would soon publish the list of all approved centres in all its state offices nationwide to guide prospective candidates in choosing centres nearest to them.

    He announced that the sales of registration documents for the examination would commence on Jan. 10.

    “Already the list of over 700 accredited centres for this examination has been uploaded on our website.

    “But we have not published any advert concerning all the processes, we are hoping to do so soon.

    “Precisely before the commencement of the sales of the forms just as we will paste the list of all the accredited CBT centres at all our state offices nationwide.

    “This is to guide the candidates towards the examination processes in order not to fall prey to these fraudsters who are bent on finding ways of causing pains to innocent Nigerians,” Benjamin said.

    He said candidates can also go to Google Play Store on their mobile phones to download the JAMB IBASS for authentic information, especially as regards subject and course combinations, among others.

     

  • Breaking: Buhari reduces UTME, NECO, SSCE forms cost

    Breaking: Buhari reduces UTME, NECO, SSCE forms cost

    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved reduction in the cost of Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) form.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports President Buhari also approved reduction in the cost of National Examinations Council (NECO), Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) and Basic Education Certificate Examination forms.

    Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu made this known while briefing the federal executive council, presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, on Wednesday.

    He said the President directed the Ministry to look into the reduction following significant improvement in revenues being remitted to the treasury by the education agencies.

    The exam agencies are not meant to be revenue generating bodies, they’re only supposed to cover costs/operating expenses.

    The sharp increase in remittances by JAMB, from less than N60m in 2010–2016 to over N15 billion in 2017/18, has shown that the fees being charged could be reduced.

    With effect from January 2019 the cost of JAMB UTME form will drop from N5,000 to N3,500, while NECO will drop from N11,350, to N9,850.

     

  • JAMB has caution for cyber café operators

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), on Wednesday, cautioned private cyber cafe operators against extortion of prospective candidates who want to upload their results on the board’s website.

    The Head of Media of the board, Dr Fabian Benjamin, gave the caution in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja.

    Benjamin said that the caution became necessary following several complaints made to the board by the victims, on fraudulent activities by some private café operators.

    He said the candidates complained of high amount of money they were being charged by such operators to upload their WAEC results on JAMB website.

    “Not only do they charge them high, they also convince candidates who had already uploaded their results on the site to do same again.

    “Candidates who have had their results uploaded at the point of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) registration need not do that again, except for those who registered with awaiting results.

    “Those are the ones allowed to upload now on our website.

    “This upload should not cost more than N100.

    “No cyber café should charge more than this amount, however, if candidates can locate any of our Computer Based Test (CBT) Centres, it is free to make the upload there,” Benjamin said.

    NAN correspondent who visited some of the cyber cafés in Bwari reports that while some charge a negotiable N500, few charge up to N1, 000 for the result upload.

    The exercise follows the recent release of 2018 WAEC results and the announcement by JAMB that“leaders of institutions agreed that the First Choice Admission would be conducted from July 2 to Oct. 16’’.

    According to the board, the Second Choice Admission is to commence from Oct.17 to Dec.17.

     

  • JAMB announces closure of Direct Entry application

    JAMB announces closure of Direct Entry application

    …releases results of rescheduled UTME

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) on Tuesday announced that the Direct Entry (DE) application, which began in December 2017, would close on June 4.

    The Board’s Head of Media, Fabian Benjamin, made the announcement in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.

    According to Benjamin, over 140,000 candidates have so far obtained the forms online.

    He said that the closure became necessary in order to avail the board to plan ahead for the 2018 admission process into various institutions.

    “With the policy meeting coming up on June 26, which involves the Minister of Education and all stakeholders in the sector, the 2018 admission guidelines would be discussed and approved for the board.

    “This includes both for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and DE.

    “Therefore, candidates who are still interested and want to apply for the DE should use the window period of seven days to apply, as no extension of date will be granted.”

    Similarly, Benjamin said that the board has released the results of the mop up examination conducted for candidates, who were rescheduled for the UTME on Saturday, May 26.

    Recall that the board had recently, conducted a mop up examination for over 12,000 candidates in some of its centres across the country.

    This included those whose biometrics could not be captured during the initial period of the UTME in March, those who were yet to see their results and have not been involved in any form of malpractice.

    Others included those who were unable to print out their e-slip before the earlier examinations and those whose centres were cancelled for suspected malpractices.

    On the admission process,Benjamin said the board frowned at some institutions that breached the constitutional guidelines for the entire process by making advertorials before the policy meeting.

    He explained that all institutions must note that they are not to make any form of adverts for admissions into their schools until after the policy meeting.

    According to the spokesman, this is because the meeting is the only authorised body that approves admission process for every preceding year.

    “Advertising before the policy meeting is a violation and abuse of the entire process.

    “They must recall that at the meeting, all proceedings, rules and regulations guiding the admissions are discussed and unanimously approved by all stakeholders.

    “However, a list of institutions that breached this rule are being compiled by the board and to be forwarded to the appropriate body for sanction.”

    He added that in view of the above, those who intend to make admission adverts before the slated meeting, are urged to have a rethink and halt.

    He also noted that the 2018 policy meeting of the education sector was coming early to allow institutions begin early admission.

  • JAMB goes global, conducts UTME in eight countries

    JAMB goes global, conducts UTME in eight countries

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) says it has recorded a huge success in the conduct of Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) in eight countries.

    The countries include UK, Cameroon, Benin Republic, Côte d’Ivoire and South Africa.

    The board’s Head of Media and Information Department, Fabian Benjamin, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen on Sunday in Lagos.

    According to him, not less than 297 foreign candidates participated in the 2018 UTME in the countries conducted on Saturday, April 14, under the supervision of some foreign nationals, who came to understudy the process.

    Mr Benjamin said the foreigners were elated by what they saw that an African country could achieve and sustain such a feat.

    “The examination was conducted yesterday in not less than eight foreign countries under the watch of some foreign nationals.

    “As usual, it was well attended and very successful. All resources to ensure the smooth conduct of the examination were readily deployed by the board.

    “We are indeed happy to have achieved yet another feat especially as we had people who came around to observe and understudy the process.

    “They were happy as well as impressed with what they saw on ground. We know it can only be better because we have the capacity and all it takes to move this country to the next level,” he said.

    “Again, we are not just conducting the examination in these countries because of the number of candidates that indicate interest but because we also want to showcase Nigeria’s giant strides in technological advancement on the global scene.”

    Meanwhile, JAMB has distanced itself from a purported cutoff mark being circulated in some sections of the media, saying it did not emanate from the board.

    Benjamin said no such cutoff mark, whether for programmes or institutions had been released by JAMB as was being speculated.

    “We want to seize this medium to debunk such rumours as they are malicious and wicked as they are designed to defraud innocent Nigerians, especially parents and guardians as well as other stakeholders.

    “No cutoff marks will ever be decided upon without the usual policy meeting which has been scheduled to hold sometime in June and which is to be chaired by the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu.

    “Until that is done, every other thing that is being paraded as cutoff mark is fictitious and therefore, the public is hereby warned not to fall prey to these fraudsters.

    “In the same vein, any institution that has commenced any form of admission without the official cutoff mark as would be decided upon at the June policy meeting is doing so illegally,” Benjamin warned.

    He said as a board, the management would continue to uphold standards and due process to protect the integrity of its examinations and process.