JAMB denies plans to cancel exam in Borno, others

Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board on Wednesday denied plans to cancel the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination in Borno and other states in the North due to the security challenges in the areas.

The clarification came on the heels of reports that the House of Representatives had ordered the body to shelve the plan.

JAMB, in a statement by Timothy Oyedeji on behalf of its Registrar/CEO, Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, said the report originated from a deliberation on the floor of the House.

According to the statement, a member of the House, Aminu Fagge (PDP, Kano) brought the matter before the House under “a matter of urgent national importance”.

It quoted the lawmaker as saying, “The House feels saddened that JAMB saddled with the responsibility of creating a pathway for national development should deny desirous candidates access to tertiary education.”

JAMB noted that the information relied upon by the House to take the position was incorrect and unfortunate.

It also said it had always been guided by the rules, regulations and due process, hence “the board can never take a rash decision as is being portrayed”.

JAMB said, “For the avoidance of doubt, JAMB has concluded arrangements to conduct the 2012 UTME in the mentioned areas as follows:

“In Borno State, the exams will be held in four examination towns and 29 centres, Kano State: 10 examination towns and 91 centres and Yobe, three towns and 17 examination centres.

“From the foregoing therefore, the management of JAMB has not and will not contemplate the cancellation of its matriculation examination in these states.”