The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has cautioned Nigerians about verifying claims of exceptional performance in the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) before awarding scholarships, according to The Sun.
Professor Ishaq Oloyede, JAMB Registrar, emphasized the importance of seeking clarification from the board to prevent fraudulent claims of excellence. He cited the case of Ms. Mmesoma Ejikeme, who manipulated her score, and other similar incidents.
Responding to questions about withholding the names of top performers, Oloyede clarified that the UTME is a ranking exam for qualified candidates seeking admission to tertiary institutions. He explained that minimum admission scores are determined by individual institutions based on various factors beyond the UTME itself.
"Because of these diverse variables, arriving at a singular best score or a universal benchmark for top performers is impractical," Oloyede said. "Our primary objective is ensuring successful admission for candidates."
However, acknowledging public interest, Oloyede offered a solution. "We understand the desire to recognize exceptional performance. To avoid a repeat of the Mmesoma saga and assist those offering scholarships, JAMB will provide guidance in verifying candidates' claims. We urge everyone to confirm results before awarding any prizes," he stated.
This advisory highlights the importance of verifying academic credentials to ensure the legitimacy of scholarship recipients. It also underscores the complexity of the UTME admission process, where individual institutions play a significant role in determining minimum admission scores.