JAMB introduces UTME requirement for DE candidates in Nigerian universities

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced a significant change in the admission process for Direct Entry (DE) candidates seeking admission to Nigerian universities.

According to JAMB, DE candidates will now be required to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) alongside other candidates.

This is disclosed in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the board’s Head, Public Affairs and Protocol, Dr Fabian Benjamin, at the end of its management committee meeting.

Benjamin disclosed that the committee meeting was held to appraise the recent crisis witnessed in the conduct of the 2023 DE registration.

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According to him, the decision to introduce the UTME requirement for DE candidates stems from JAMB’s aim to ensure that these candidates can substantiate their possession of A’level certificates.

“The board has expressed its commitment to press ahead with its efforts to reposition the conduct of public examinations in Nigeria.”

“The board stated that the seeming crisis was birthed by the implementation of some of its newly-adopted processes aimed at curbing infractions in the admission value chain given our national peculiarities.”

By taking the UTME, DE candidates will have the opportunity to demonstrate their academic proficiency and align with the admission standards set by Nigerian universities.

“This policy is to be situated within the ambit of the Board’s relentless efforts aimed at enhancing the growth of the nation’s education sector as it would promote transparency, accountability and good governance,” he said.

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This new policy marks a departure from the previous system where DE candidates were exempted from taking the UTME.

JAMB’s move is expected to create a more level playing field for all prospective university students, fostering fairness and transparency in the admission process.