In the latest results released by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), 77% of the 1,842,464 candidates scored below the 200 mark. This startling statistic has raised concerns about the academic preparedness of students seeking admission to tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
During a press briefing, JAMB’s Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, detailed the performance distribution, noting that only 8,401 candidates managed to score 300 and above. Additionally, 77,070 candidates scored between 250 and 299, while 439,974 candidates scored between 200 and 249.
The board has yet to set the minimum admission benchmark for the 2024/2025 academic session, which traditionally ranges from 180 to 200. This will be decided at a policy meeting scheduled for a later date.
Prof. Oloyede also introduced changes to the admissions acceptance process aimed at safeguarding candidate information and maintaining the integrity of the admissions process. Candidates can now accept or reject admission offers either by sending a command via SMS to 55019/66019 from their registered phone line or through biometric verification at an accredited CBT center or any JAMB office.
“These newly introduced methods are designed to protect the candidates’ details and uphold the sanctity of the admission process,” Prof. Oloyede emphasized. He also mentioned ongoing discussions with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to create a dedicated student SIM card with restricted services to further secure students’ communications.
The recent results and procedural updates highlight JAMB’s continuous efforts to enhance educational standards and the admissions process in Nigeria’s higher education system.
