Direct Entry (DE) candidates to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) alongside other candidates says the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB)

Direct Entry (DE) candidates seeking admission to Nigerian universities will now be required to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) alongside other candidates, according to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). The move is aimed at ensuring that DE candidates justify the possession of their A’level certificates. The decision was made at a meeting of the board’s management committee, which was held to address recent crises in the conduct of the 2023 DE registration and to address loopholes in the DE admission process.

JAMB’s Head of Public Affairs and Protocol, Dr Fabian Benjamin, said that the policy change was part of the board’s ongoing efforts to enhance the growth of Nigeria’s education sector and promote transparency, accountability, and good governance. He added that the board was committed to repositioning the conduct of public examinations in Nigeria and changing the negative narrative of A’level admissions into higher institutions in Nigeria.

The crisis that led to the policy change was reportedly caused by the implementation of newly adopted processes aimed at curbing infractions in the admission value chain. The board believes that the new policy will help to address all loopholes giving rise to abuses in the DE admission processes.

JAMB has remitted N2 billion as its interim surplus for the 2023 operating year, with more to come as its operations for the years are completed. This is in line with the board’s pledge to leverage technology and discipline to manage its affairs. Since assuming office, the board’s Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede-led management, has remitted over N55 billion to the Federal Government coffers, far above the less than N60 million remitted by the board in the 38 years of its existence prior to Oloyede’s appointment.

The new policy has been met with mixed reactions, with some stakeholders expressing concern that it would disadvantage DE candidates who may not be as well-prepared as UTME candidates. Others believe that the policy will help to curb fraud and ensure that all candidates are on a level playing field.

JAMB has assured DE candidates that the new policy will not be a barrier to their admission but will rather serve to ensure that they possess the necessary qualifications for admission to Nigerian universities. The board has also promised to provide adequate information and guidance to DE candidates ahead of the UTME to ensure that they are well-prepared for the examination.

The new policy is expected to take effect from the 2022/2023 academic session, with DE candidates required to register for the UTME along with other candidates. The board has urged all stakeholders to support the new policy and work together to enhance the growth of Nigeria’s education sector.