September 17, 2024 The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced a major shift in its operations to combat extortion and enhance service delivery. The board, led by Registrar Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, is set to fully automate its services and reduce physical interactions between its staff and candidates, particularly underage ones.
In a recent bulletin, Prof. Oloyede emphasized that this transition is crucial for addressing issues of extortion and exploitation that have plagued the UTME (Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination) process. He explained that many UTME candidates are minors, which underscores the need to limit direct physical contact to protect them from potential abuses.
The new approach will involve conducting all interactions online, with phone calls recorded for quality control and effective monitoring. This move follows numerous reports of unprofessional conduct and complaints of extortion from candidates and their families. JAMB has deployed a team to investigate these claims, promising transparency and accountability.
Prof. Oloyede has urged students who have faced extortion or exploitation to provide credible evidence against any officials involved. He assured that any staff found guilty of such practices would face severe consequences.
In a recent legal case, Mrs. Ifeanyi Eke filed a N100 million lawsuit against JAMB and three others, alleging inappropriate and unsolicited messages sent to her 15-year-old daughter. The suit, filed before the Federal High Court in Lagos, includes Island Computer College Limited and other individuals as co-defendants.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about the conduct of JAMB officials and affiliated CBT (Computer-Based Test) centres. In response, JAMB is taking decisive steps to address these issues and restore confidence in its examination process.
