UTME 2024: JAMB suspends DE admissions of 10,378 candidates over unverified A-level certificates

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has suspended the admissions of 10,378 candidates who participated in the 2023 Direct Entry (DE) examination due to their inability to submit their A-level certificates for verification to the examination body.

Earlier in February 2023, JAMB issued an advisory aimed at guiding candidates seeking admissions through direct entry for the 2023–2024 academic session. The advisory primarily addressed concerns related to candidates attempting to gain admission using unacceptable or forged A-level certificates or qualifications.

As part of the advisory, JAMB recently urged affected candidates to promptly contact their former institutions to verify their certificates. Emphasising its stance, JAMB reiterated that admissions would not be granted to students with unverified certificates.

JAMB revealed that it had communicated with all tertiary institutions that issued certificates, receiving positive responses from a substantial number. However, over 240 institutions, predominantly polytechnics and colleges of education, failed to send verification reports, leading to the suspension of admissions for the affected 10,378 candidates.

A report obtained from JAMB in Abuja highlighted the board’s commitment to addressing sharp practices and inconsistencies in the ongoing DE admission exercise. The Nigeria Post-secondary Education Data System (NIPEDS) played a crucial role in conducting verification exercises.
Efforts to curb unwholesome practices involved NIPEDS writing to all tertiary institutions nationwide, urging them to facilitate the verification of A-level certificates for their respective students. While many institutions responded positively and had their students’ A-level certificates verified, a considerable number failed to provide any response.

Consequently, candidates holding certificates from institutions without verification will not be considered for admission until the verification process is completed. An analysis of affected institutions reveals prominent names, including Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (1,314 candidates); Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (611 candidates); Aminu Saleh College of Education (269 candidates); College of Education, Minna (248 candidates); Federal College of Education, Okene (164 candidates); Federal College of Education, Kotangora (164 candidates); and Federal College of Education, Abeokuta (383 candidates), among others.