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…As JAMB sets cut-off mark at 140, mulls use of phones for future examinations
From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has confirmed a female candidate from Anambra State, Miss Umeh Kamsiyochukwu Nkechinyere, as the best candidate in the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) with a 360 score.
She sat for the examination in Ogun State, and applied to University of Lagos (UNILAG) to study Chemical Engineering.
Similarly, a male candidate from Edo State, Aguele Stephen Oseruha, was confirmed by JAMB as second best with 358 score.
He sat for the examination in Edo State, and applied to University of Benin (UNIBEN) to study computer engineering.
Oseruha was closely followed by another male candidate, Ositade Oluwafemi Anthony, from Ogun State and took the examination in Ogun State. The candidate also scored 358, and applied to study computer engineering in University of Lagos (UNILAG).
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, disclosed the information at the opening ceremony of the 2023 Policy Meeting in Abuja, held yesterday.
The Policy meeting is usually attended by the heads of tertiary institutions in Nigeria, who deliberate and decide on criteria for 2023 admission into all the tertiary institutions.
Though the ages of candidates that applied to study at UNILAG were not disclosed, there are indications that UNILAG doesn’t offer admission to candidates below the age of 16, irrespective of UTME score.
The Policy Meeting also fixed 140 as the minimum score for admission into the universities in 2023. Similarly, it also set 100 as minimum score for admission into the polytechnics and Education colleges.
The decision on minimum scores was taken by voting, moderated by Prof Oloyede and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, David Adejoh.
He reminded the institutions not to admit candidates whom scored below the set cut–off marks. He asked the institutions that submitted figures above the approved minimum scores to maintain their stand in order to retain the approved and set standards known to the school.
Meanwhile, there was some resistance from some institutions, particularly the newly registered private universities and other institutions, who pleaded that the score be reduced to 120. This, they said, was to enable them grant admission to more candidates.
Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, David Adejoh, in his remarks, appreciated the institutions for their responses when the call was made for institutions to submit their minimum admissible score.
Meanwhile, JAMB said it’s considering the use of mobile phones for the UTME in in future.
Prof Oloyede disclosed the 2023 Policy Meeting, in Abuja, noting that technology had developed to that point, stating that in no distant time, JAMB would adopt the option of allowing candidates use phones and other similar devices for its UTME.
He said that the huge resources spent by JAMB on examination logistics is the primary reason JAMB is proposing to adopt the option of using the advanced technology in smartphones. .
He said: “It cost JAMB over N1.2billion to equip a CBT centre in Kaduna State, particularly in procuring computers which candidates use to take the examination. Something close to that was also spent in Owerri, Imo State.”
He explained that the policy, which falls under “Bring Your Own Device” may require candidates wishing to take UTME in the future to bring their own devices to the examination hall.
