Struggles of Direct Entry Candidates: Sleepless Nights at JAMB Lagos Office

Dire Straits for Direct Entry Candidates as They Endure Vigil at JAMB Lagos Office

Numerous applicants participating in this year’s registration for Direct Entry (DE) into Nigerian universities and polytechnics are encountering arduous challenges while trying to register with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

The situation has reached a critical point at the JAMB office in Lagos, where some applicants are forced to sleep at the board’s headquarters in order to secure their registration.

Accusing the examination body of insensitivity and “inhumane” treatment, the DE candidates find themselves sleeping on the road and outside the JAMB premises in Ikoyi, as captured in a video shared with The Guardian. It has been reported that some applicants even arrive as early as 5:00 a.m. at the board’s headquarters.

Originally slated to conclude on April 20, the DE registration deadline was extended to accommodate candidates after the computer-based Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), which ended on May 6.

However, JAMB has placed the blame on the candidates, emphasizing their tendency to wait until the last minute before attempting registration.

In response, JAMB spokesperson Fabian Benjamin reassured that the board would ensure the registration of all candidates who are willing to register for the DE, particularly those who have already purchased their PINs.

While acknowledging the last-minute rush at registration centers as typical behavior, Benjamin pointed out that JAMB offices were relatively “empty” prior to this period. He explained that the board has implemented new measures this year to combat the prevalent use of forged A-level results by candidates.

Citing the recent expulsion of nearly 200 students from Bayero University, Kano (BUK) for presenting counterfeit A-level results, Benjamin stated, “We have come to discover that some of the most abused process certifications are all these A-level certificates.”

He further elaborated on the board’s initiative, stating, “What we’ve done is to ensure that registration is only conducted in our own offices. It’s just an entry measure, but this year, we are trying to use that as a pilot program to see what is actually happening – how these candidates forged A-level results and were able to actually enter into the system.”

Benjamin reassured that by the following year, JAMB would have identified all the fraudulent practices and implemented measures to address them. Nonetheless, he affirmed that the board would guarantee registration for all candidates willing to participate in the DE.

“When we started the registration, the offices were nearly empty, and candidates were not coming. So, you can imagine where these people are coming from at this particular point in time. But as a responsible organization, we will do everything possible, especially for candidates who have purchased the PINs to register.”

The board has provided a list of acceptable A-level results for this year’s DE registration, which includes a university diploma, Ordinary National Diploma (OND), National Diploma (ND), Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE), Higher National Diploma (HND), and a university degree.

Additional recognized certifications encompass the Interim Joint Matriculation Board (IJMB), Joint Universities Preliminary Examination Board (JUPED), 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/Midwife certificates.