The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has unearthed a staggering 1,665 cases of fraudulent A-level results during the 2023 Direct Entry (DE) registration process.
This disturbing revelation underscores the prevalence of corruption within the education system, as highlighted by JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, during a meeting with the National Association of Nigeria Colleges of Education Students.
Among the fraudulent results detected, 397 emanated from Colleges of Education, 453 from university diplomas, and the remainder from various other A-level certificates. Prof. Oloyede expressed deep concern over the disregard for the integrity of educational certificates, stressing the urgent need to safeguard their credibility to ensure fair admissions processes.
Shockingly, Bayero University, Kano, served as a glaring example of the extent of the fraud, with only six out of 148 Direct Entry applications possessing genuine certificates. This alarming discovery prompted JAMB to convene a meeting with key stakeholders to devise strategies to combat the pervasive menace of certificate fraud.
As part of the proposed measures, an A-level result verification task force will be established, alongside the creation of a centralized platform for swift and reliable verification of A-level results and certificates. Emphasizing the gravity of the situation, JAMB has instituted a “No verification, No admission” policy to enforce compliance.
In response to institutions exhibiting laxity in verifying candidates’ credentials, JAMB has identified 15 such institutions and imposed stringent measures. These institutions, with over 20 unverified candidates, are mandated to pre-verify certificate holders before completing the DE registration process.
Addressing concerns raised by the National Association of Nigeria Colleges of Education Students, Prof. Oloyede reiterated JAMB’s commitment to upholding integrity and credibility in examination and admission procedures. Additionally, the association advocated for more DE registration centers to alleviate challenges faced by students during the ongoing 2024 DE registration.
In light of these revelations, the education sector must intensify efforts to combat fraudulent practices and uphold the sanctity of educational qualifications to ensure a fair and transparent admissions process for all aspiring students.
