Following the recent cases of fake certifications uncovered by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), examination boards in Kenya and Uganda are now reaching out to the country to verify the credentials of Nigerians applying for admission to tertiary institutions in their countries.
JAMB made this known in a
document: ‘Registrar’s Report on 2023 ADMISSION & 2024 UTME Policy
Meeting,’ document on Wednesday, Channels TV reports.
According to the document, JAMB
stressed the need to protect Nigeria’s tertiary institutions from international
disrepute, adding that it would not falsify the records of any students.
“Uganda and Kenya examination
boards are now writing to JAMB to confirm records presented by candidates for
admission of candidates. JAMB would not falsify record,” the Nigerian
examination body stated.
The Federal Government recently
suspended the verification of degree certificates from Uganda, Kenya, Benin
Republic, Togo and some other countries over allegations of certificate
racketeering.
This followed an investigation
by a Daily Nigeria reporter, Umar Audu on how he obtained a degree within six
weeks in the Benin Republic.
After his report, the Federal
Government set up an Inter-Ministerial Investigative Committee on Degree
Certificate Milling to probe the activities of certificate racketeers.
JAMB threatened to sanction
higher institutions that fail to submit lists of students admitted immediately
after matriculation.
According to JAMB’s Public
Communications Advisor, Fabian Benjamin, the initiative is one of the
recommendations made by a committee set up by the Federal Government to combat
fake degree racketeering in the country.
According to a ‘Clarification
On Disclosure Of Admitted Candidates Outside Caps (2017-DATE)’ by JAMB
obtained, institutions are to “regularly submit their matriculation lists to
the Federal Ministry of Education not later than three months after
matriculation ceremonies.”
The list is expected to be
submitted through the dedicated channel of JAMB.
“The Board has observed a large
number of candidates thronging its offices to resolve issues related to the
disclosure of candidates admitted outside the Central Admissions Processing
System (CAPS) from 2017 to date. While we appreciate the enthusiasm, we must
correct the misconception that the focus is on candidates’ actions. The true
emphasis lies with the institutions, which must disclose all candidates
admitted outside CAPS before the August 31st, 2024 deadline.
“This directive requires
immediate attention and compliance. We urge institutions to carefully review
our initial letter and ensure full compliance, as failure to disclose will
result in severe consequences. Candidates are also reminded not to accept
admissions outside CAPS.
“The Board reiterated that
candidates not disclosed by institutions would not be entertained. The Board
will not tolerate any condonement of undisclosed admissions moving forward.”
In a similar development, a
memo addressed to the JAMB on July 15, 2024, the education ministry said, “You
may recall that following the publication of allegations of certificate
racketeering involving some foreign institutions, especially in Cotonou, Benin
Republic, and other countries, the ministry constituted an inter-ministerial
committee to investigate the allegations to find lasting solutions.
“The committee has submitted
its report and the Honourable Minister of Education has approved its recommendations
for implementation.
“In that regard, I hereby
convey the request of the honourable minister for the implementation of the
following recommendations of the committee:
“Enforce the mandatory requirement for all tertiary institutions in Nigeria to exclusively conduct their admissions processes through the Central Admissions Processing System under the auspices of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board; mandate all tertiary institutions in Nigeria to regularly submit their matriculation lists to the Federal Ministry of Education not later than three months after matriculation ceremonies through the dedicated channel of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board.
“You are kindly requested to
implement the above recommendations and furnish the ministry with
implementation updates.”
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