The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued a clarification regarding its involvement in the admissions process for Higher National Diploma (HND) programs, emphasizing that it should not be held accountable for issues related to NYSC mobilization.
In a statement released on Monday, JAMB spokesperson Fabian Benjamin explained that the board’s responsibilities do not include managing admissions for HND programs. The clarification comes in response to claims from some graduates who alleged they were not mobilized for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) because they had completed their Ordinary National Diploma (OND) through part-time study, despite pursuing their HND on a full-time basis.
JAMB refuted these claims, stating that its legal mandate is confined to overseeing undergraduate admissions, determining matriculation requirements, and conducting examinations for National Diploma and Nigerian Certificate in Education programs. This mandate is outlined in Section 5(2) of the law establishing JAMB.
The statement read: “The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board wishes to clarify its position on recent claims from some HND graduates blaming JAMB for their inability to participate in the mandatory one-year NYSC. It is crucial to highlight that JAMB has no involvement, authority, or control over the admissions process for HND candidates.”
JAMB further elaborated, “The Board’s role is limited to determining matriculation requirements and conducting examinations for undergraduate admissions, as well as National Diploma and Nigerian Certificate in Education programs. JAMB does not handle examinations or selective processes for postgraduate courses or other tertiary institution programs.”
The board also noted that many of the students in question were admitted to their National Diploma programs without JAMB’s involvement. As such, JAMB’s role in their subsequent HND admissions is non-existent and irrelevant to its mandate.
JAMB concluded by urging the public to disregard the accusations against the board, stating that the allegations are baseless and outside the board’s purview. The statement also warned that legal action may be taken against those making false claims.
