Education
JAMB Boss Decries Extortion of UTME Candidates by Private Schools
Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has expressed concern over the extortion of Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) candidates by some private secondary schools.
Oloyede, who was featured on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on Monday, monitored by Mega Icon Magazine, further alleged that these institutions mishandled candidates’ data, emphasising that each candidate should register individually using their own phones.
“What we are calling on the candidates to do is that they should go to the centre and register. But one very important thing that we are facing now with students either with disabilities or without disability is that UTME is not a school-based examination.
“There are private secondary schools who are extorting the candidates, they will take 10,000, 20,000 and they say JAMB form whereas they pay just 6,000 or 7,000 as the case may be. They are mismanaging the data of the candidates,” Oloyede said.
“Every candidate is supposed to register with his or her own phone but these people are mixing their data together.
“Even one institution, Federal Government College Bwari wrote to us, ‘Can you give them (people with disabilities) special registration?’ It is not possible, we are not school-based. We register individual candidates who are going into the university, we are not registering cohorts.”
Last year, JAMB took a significant step by establishing 11 UTME centers dedicated exclusively to Persons With Disabilities (PWDs).
During the interview, the JAMB chief clarified that the primary objective behind these specialised centres was to ensure equal opportunities for all candidates undertaking the UTME which aligns with JAMB’s commitment to inclusivity and fairness in the examination process.
He added that JAMB recognised the necessity for special attention to persons with disabilities and consequently opted to establish the centers with the assistance of various individuals and organisations.
“The idea is that those who are suffering from physical disabilities require support. We find out that they need special attention and this special attention cannot be easily available in 774 centres across the country.
“So, what we therefore did was to create centres that are as close as possible to where they are coming from. We know that that is even a strain on them but in order to provide equal opportunity for them, what we have also done is to provide the wherewithal for them and their guide to the centre and we created these centres across the country so that the closer they are to the place of abode of these candidates the better,” Oloyede said.
The JAMB Registrar also confirmed that the registration for the 2024 UTME commenced last week and is scheduled to conclude in the next four weeks.
The management of Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo, has scheduled the 2024/2025 matriculation ceremony for Thursday, March 27, 2025.
According to a statement by the University Registrar, Mrs. Olubunmi Siju’ Asunmo, the event will commence at 10:00 a.m. at the University Board of Trustees (BOT) Large Lecture Theatre and will be presided over by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olanrewaju Olaniyan.
The matriculation lecture will be delivered by Prof. Olatunde O. Fawole, a former Rector of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, and former Chairman of the Committee of Provosts and Deans at LAUTECH, Ogbomoso.
The university has urged all stakeholders, including Senate members, management staff, deans, directors, heads of departments, service divisions, faculty officers, and students’ representatives, to be seated by 9:30 a.m. prompt for a smooth event.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that the sale of the 2025 Direct Entry (DE) forms will commence on Wednesday, March 12.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by JAMB’s spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, on Monday. He emphasized that the registration process is essential for individuals with degrees, diplomas, or A-level certificates seeking admission into their preferred universities.
“The initiation of the DE sales follows the successful conclusion of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) application sales, which ended on Saturday, March 8, 2025,” the statement read.
According to JAMB, a total of 2,030,627 candidates registered for the 2025 UTME, with 200,115 participating in the Mock-UTME and 630 in the trial mock examination.
The board warned prospective Direct Entry applicants to ensure they meet all entry requirements, as any false declaration of qualifications would attract serious penalties.
“A special committee will verify all submitted advanced-level qualifications, and any fraudulent results will lead to prosecution. Additionally, institutions are encouraged to directly verify certificates before considering admissions,” the board stated.
JAMB also clarified that registration for the Direct Entry process can only be done at designated JAMB Professional Registration Centres (PRCs).
As the registration date approaches, candidates are advised to adhere to all guidelines and ensure that their credentials are properly verified to avoid disqualification.
The Federal Government has officially adopted the Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijagun, Ogun State, as a Federal University of Education. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the transition on Friday, expressing gratitude to the Ogun State Government for inviting the Federal Government to take over one of the state’s most valued educational institutions.
The announcement was contained in a statement released by the Presidency on Sunday, highlighting the significance of TASUED’s transition and its alignment with national educational priorities.
“It is an opportunity for the Federal Government to honour Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who pioneered the revolutionary free education programme in Western Nigeria, and Dr Tai Solarin, who dedicated his life to educating our children and instilling patriotic and leadership values at Mayflower School in Ikenne,” President Tinubu was quoted as saying.
The President further acknowledged the Awujale of Ijebuland’s instrumental role in preventing TASUED’s closure in 2012, just seven years after its establishment. He described the transition as a strategic move aimed at strengthening teacher education and improving instructional quality nationwide.
“With a well-developed infrastructure and academic programme, the transition requires minimal federal investment,” the statement noted.
TASUED, established in 2005 by the Ogun State Government, holds the distinction of being Nigeria’s first specialised university of education. It was named in honour of Dr Tai Solarin, a renowned educationist and social reformer. The institution’s conversion into a federal university marks a historic milestone as the first federal tertiary institution in Ogun East Senatorial District, which includes Ijebu and Remo areas.
With this development, TASUED joins Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri, and Adeyemi Federal University of Education, Ondo, as Nigeria’s three federally owned universities dedicated to teacher education. The takeover underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding access to quality education and strengthening the foundation of Nigeria’s teaching workforce.
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