In response to recent cases of fake certification detected by the Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB), examination boards in Kenya and Uganda are now reaching out to Nigeria to verify the credentials submitted by Nigerian candidates seeking admission into their tertiary institutions.
JAMB disclosed this in a document titled “Registrar’s Report on 2023 Admission & 2024 UTME Policy Meeting,” obtained by Channels Television on Wednesday.
The document highlights JAMB’s commitment to protecting the reputation of Nigeria’s tertiary institutions on the international stage, emphasizing that it will 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 exam body stated.
Recently, the Federal Government suspended the verification of degree certificates from Uganda, Kenya, Benin Republic, Togo, and other countries due to allegations of certificate racketeering.
This decision follows an investigation by Daily Nigeria reporter Umar Audu, who exposed how he obtained a degree within six weeks in the Benin Republic. In response to his report, the Federal Government established an Inter-Ministerial Investigative Committee on Degree Certificate Milling to investigate certificate racketeering activities.
Channels Television also reported that JAMB has threatened to penalize higher institutions that do not submit lists of admitted students immediately after matriculation.
According to JAMB’s Public Communications Advisor, Fabian Benjamin, this measure is part of the recommendations from a committee formed by the Federal Government to address and combat fake degree racketeering in the country.
According to a ‘CLARIFICATION ON DISCLOSURE OF ADMITTED CANDIDATES OUTSIDE CAPS( 2017-DATE)’ by JAMB obtained by Channels Television, 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.”
Last Thursday, Channels Television reported that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) had demobilized 54 corps members who were illegally mobilized by the University of Calabar.
This adds to the 101 certificates that had already been voided by the scheme, bringing the total to 178.
In light of these developments, the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, has pledged to eliminate holders of fake degrees from the Nigerian educational system.