- Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) said it has no role in Higher National Diploma (HND) admissions or National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) mobilisation
- The Board advised the public to ignore allegations levied against it, clarified that its mandate does not include postgraduate or Higher National Diploma (HND) admissions
- The board further warned of potential legal action against those making unfounded accusations against it
Reacting to allegations from potential National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) candidates, who had accused the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) of causing their exclusion from the required one-year service, the board has clarified that it is not responsible for graduates being unable to take part in the latest NYSC program.
This was disclosed by the board spokesman, Fabian Benjamin on Monday, September 2, in a statement that reads, “The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board wishes to clarify its position regarding recent claims made by some HND graduates who are falsely castigating JAMB for their inability to participate in the mandatory one-year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
“It is important to emphasise that JAMB has no involvement, authority, or control over the admissions process for HND candidates.”
JAMB clarifies its mandate
The board highlighted its responsibilities and explained that it is not responsible for NYSC mobilisation as per Section 5(2) of its governing legislation.
The statement read, “The candidates claimed they did HND on full-time but were not mobilised because they did OND on part-time. How on earth does that concern JAMB when Section 5(2) of the law that established JAMB states that:
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Board shall be responsible for determining matriculation requirements and conducting examinations leading to undergraduate admissions, as well as for admissions to National Diploma and Nigerian Certificate in Education courses. However, the Board shall not be responsible for examinations or any other selective processes for postgraduate courses or any other courses offered by tertiary institutions.
Board rebukes false claims by HND graduates
JAMB further explained that most of the students were admitted to their institution for a National Diploma (ND) without the Board's prior knowledge. The Board subsequently endorsed and accepted this admission, which represented the extent of its involvement with these candidates.
“Most of the students were reported to have been admitted into their institution for National Diploma (ND) without the knowledge of the Board. With this, the Board graciously condoned and endorsed the said admission for ND programme and that was the only relationship with such candidates.
JAMB warns of potential legal actions against false claims
The Board also said that some of these candidates have committed criminal acts, and the Board plans to address these violations in due course.
“Their subsequent admission to HND is unknown and irrelevant to the mandate of the Board. As such, accusing the Board of issues it has no mandate is preposterous.
“Some of these candidates have crossed the lines of criminality which the Board will soon appropriately address.
“The public is urged to disregard the accusations labelled against the Board as it has no mandate on such matter.”
JAMB gives varsities, other institutions 1 month to disclose illegal admissions
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) had given all tertiary institutions in the country one month to disclose all admissions conducted outside its Central Admissions Processing System, CAPS, prior to 2017.
The board also revealed that no candidate less than 16 years old would be given admission for the 2024/2025 session.