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Category: Education

  • Ezekwesili hails JAMB’s sanctions on Mmesoma for UTME result fraud

    Obiageli Ezekwesili, a former Minister of Education, has voiced her support for the sanctions imposed by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) on Mmesoma Ejikeme for falsifying her Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) result.

    This comes after the Anambra State Committee of Inquiry set up by Governor Charles Soludo confirmed that Mmesoma, a student at Anglican Girls Secondary School, Nnewi, manipulated her result using her phone.

    Ezekwesili had previously called for a thorough investigation into the fraud allegations following JAMB’s decision to withdraw Mmesoma’s result and ban her from taking the examination for the next three years.

    However, in a Twitter post on Saturday, Ezekwesili expressed her support for the sanctions, stating that she had reviewed the report of the Anambra State Committee and was satisfied with their investigation process and findings, which allowed Mmesoma a fair hearing to gather all the relevant facts.

    Amid the ongoing controversy surrounding Mmesoma’s result, with JAMB asserting that her score of 249 was manipulated to 362, Ezekwesili emphasized the importance of conducting a comprehensive investigation to establish the truth of the matter.

    She expressed her contentment that the process provided Mmesoma with a fair hearing, as indicated by the Anambra State panel report, which was signed by the Commissioner for Information, Paul Nwosu.

    Below is the full statement by the former Minister titled: “Mmesoma and @JAMBHQ Saga”

    “I have just read the report of the Committee set up by Anambra State Government to investigate and report their independent findings on the Mmesoma and JAMB Saga.

    “I am satisfied with the process and findings of their investigation which gave Mmesoma a fair hearing to enable the Committee to gather all facts.

    “It was necessary to have independent evidence that the result Mmesoma laid claim to publicly was not only fake but that the forgery was personally orchestrated by her.

    “There are usually syndicates at the centre of perpetration of exam malpractices in Nigeria but it appears not to be so in Mmesoma’s case from the facts of the Committee’s report.

    “Mmesoma’s action has consequences. I, therefore, support the sanctions imposed by JAMB as a deterrent to all who participate in the systemic exam malpractices within our educational system.

    “I also recommend sustained counseling for Mmesoma by the family, school, and church to support her as she reflects on this tragic episode and makes a decision to embrace values and rewards of effort while eschewing dishonest gain for the rest of her life.

    “I do hope that the lessons of this case will help all our pupils, students, parents, guardians and the public at large renew a collective commitment to uphold Exam Integrity in Nigeria as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s Values and Reward System for our children and youth.

    “I wish to thank JAMB for their good work and encourage the Registrar and his team to continue with their critical service to our country and people as we all join them to sustain raising of awareness on Exam Integrity.” 

    Obiageli “Oby” Ezekwesili
    Former Minister of Education

  • Mmesoma: Disappointed Innoson withdraws N3m scholarship

    The management of Innoson Automobile Company has withdrawn the N3 million scholarship awarded to Miss Mmesoma Ejikeme over her involvement in the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) result manipulation.

    This is contained in a statement signed by Mr. Cornel Osigwe, Head of Corporate Communications at Innoson Group, and made available to newsmen on Saturday.

    He said: “In recent days, we have been involved in the process of investigating allegations surrounding the 2023 UTME examination results of one of our scholarship recipients, Miss Mmesoma Ejikeme.

    “It was reported initially that Miss Joy scored exceptionally high in the exam, a feat that led to her being awarded a scholarship by our company.

    “However, subsequent reports of discrepancies in her UTME score led us to seek clarification from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), and to allow her to voice her stance, we engaged in direct dialogue with Miss Joy.

    “Further to this, a committee set up by Governor Charles Soludo, carried out a thorough independent investigation into this matter.”

    Osigwe noted that the findings from the rigorous investigation have now confirmed that Miss Mmesoma did manipulate her UTME results.

    “This conclusion is deeply disappointing and stands in direct contravention of the values we hold dear at Innoson Vehicles, particularly those that underscore our scholarship program.

    “In line with these principles and response to the confirmed findings, we have made the difficult decision to withdraw the scholarship awarded to Miss Mmesoma Ejikeme.

    “This action is a testament to our unyielding commitment to honesty, integrity, and merit-based recognition,” he said.

    He acknowledged that the development was regrettable, and it has undoubtedly caused dismay among those who stood by Miss Mmesoma.

    He assured that Innoson Vehicles remains steadfast in its mission to support deserving students, invest in the future of the education sector, and uphold the highest ethical standard.

  • Mmesoma used her phone to forge JAMB result– Committee Report

    Mmesoma used her phone to forge JAMB result– Committee Report

    *Recommends psychiatric evaluation for her; Apologise to JAMB, School, Anambra State Government

    More revelations have come to light concerning the result authenticity tussle between the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB) and Mmesoma Ejikeme, a candidate that sat for the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Exam (UTME).

    Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo had set up a committee to investigate the alleged falsification of results of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination by Mmesoma Ejikeme, who last Wednesday confessed on television that the result she paraded (362) was actually not hers but she took advantage of a glitch in the system to claim it.

    The panel, in a report addressed to the Governor, said that it reviewed Mmesoma ‘s JAMB results and conducted interviews with relevant parties, including JAMB officials and other individuals involved.

    The report stated that JAMB officials led by Dr Fabian Benjamin, Head, Public Affairs, presented what specifically transpired between the candidate, Mmesoma with registration number: 20230639047FF in her quest to obtain her JAMB score.

    It said that Mmesoma, who hails from Anambra state, admitted to have manipulated her UTME results, deceiving the school, her immediate family and the state government.

    “The finding of the committee are that the results released by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board with respect to the UTME score of Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma is 249.

    “The results paraded by Mmesoma with an aggregate score of 362 is fake as buttressed by the very instructive variations in the registration number, date of birth, centre name and other infractions.

    ‘”Mmesoma admitted that she manipulated the fake results herself, using her phone and proceeded to the cybercafé, Prisca Global Computers, Uruagu in Nnewi where she printed the results she had manipulated,” it said.

    The report recommended that Mmesoma should immediately tender an unreserved written apology to JAMB, the Anglican Girls’ Secondary school, and the Anambra State Government.

    It also recommended that Mmesoma should undergo a psychological counselling and therapy.

    “We hope that this unearthing of the truth as we have discovered will go a long way in correcting the sentiments, misconceptions and deceptions that have been in the public domain.

    “All prospective candidates for JAMB Admission should adhere strictly to guidelines, processes and procedures of the examination body,” the report stated.

    The report was signed by Prof. Nkemdili Nnonyelu and six others.

    See the full Report below:

    7th July 2023

    Prof. C.C Soludo,

    Governor, Anambra State.

    Mr. Governor, REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON EJIKEME JOY MMESOMA’S JAMB SCORE CONTROVERSY

    Recall Mr. Governor that with the recent release of scores of candidates who applied for admission by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), and subsequent announcement of Nkechiyere Umeh as the candidate with the highest score of 360, Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma, a 19 year old student of Anglican Girls’ Secondary School, Uruagu Nnewi, from Enugu State, protested to the State Government that she scored 362 and ought to have been so recognised. This has elicited interests and generated serious controversy and misgivings among the general public that the State Government in its wisdom decided to constitute a Committee of Inquiry to look into the underlisted terms of reference;

    Review Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma’s JAMB Results and associated documents Conduct interviews with relevant parties, including Elikeme Joy Mmesoma, JAMB Officials and any other individual(s) involved in the process. Provide recommendations based on the findings of the investigation.

    The Committee invited Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma, the Principal of Anglican Girls Secondary School, and officials of JAMB for interactive session with the Committee. JAMB off

    Review Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma’s JAMB Results and associated documents Conduct interviews with relevant parties, including Elikeme Joy Mmesoma, JAMB Officials and any other individual(s) involved in the process. Provide recommendations based on the findings of the investigation.

    The Committee invited Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma, the Principal of Anglican Girls Secondary School, and officials of JAMB for interactive session with the Committee. JAMB officials led by Dr. Fabian Benjamin, the Head Public Affairs presented the detailed processes and procedures involved in JAMB admissions, the policy changes that have occurred in the release of UTME scores since 2021 and what specifically transpired between the candidate Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma with registration number: 20230639047FF in her quest to obtain her JAMB score.

    JAMB revealed the different times that Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma made several requests to JAMB portal asking for her results at different hours, and each of these times (four in number), she received in her phone, same results from JAMB indicating candidate’s UTME Results to wit: Eng: 64, Phy:54, Bio: 74, Che: 57 with a total aggregate score of 249. JAMB disclosed that the candidate was well informed of her correct score from JAMB. Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma had sent a request to JAMB with a different registration number showing a UTME result of aggregate score of 362, with Eng: 98, Phy: 89, Bio: 94, and Che: 81. The results she sent differed substantially from the standard JAMB format where she got an appropriate rebuttal stating her real score of 249.

    Besides, a number of red-flags was also highlighted by JAMB officials showing a different date of birth, different Registration Number, Notification of results template that has been discarded since 2021, amongst others. It was also evident that even the centre name “Nkemefuna Foundation (Thomas Chidoka Centre for Human Development as it was known before now) used for the examination was also manipulated where the candidate used the old name of the centre (Thomas Chidoka Centre for Human Development) in her own manipulated result sheet.

    In Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma’s submission, she owned up in the presence of her principal, and the Education Secretary that the narration by the JAMB officials was a true and correct description of what transpired. She also admitted to have given a manipulated result by herself unaided, using same phone Airtel Number.

    According to her, she proceeded to the cybercafé (Prisca Global Computers, Uruagu, Nnewi) where she printed the results she had manipulated.

    The Committee tried to find out the motive behind her action, but Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma said NOTHING. In their own submissions, the Principal Anglican Girls’ Secondary school, Uruagu Nnewi, and the Education Secretary-Diocese of Nnewi (Anglican Communion) expressed shock at what transpired where in their presence, Mmesoma admitted to have manipulated her UTME results, deceiving the school, her immediate family and the State Government.

    COMMITTEE’S FINDINGS

    The results released by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) with respect to the UTME score of Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma is 249

    2 The results paraded by Epheme Joy Mmesoma with aggregate score of 362 is fake as buttressed by the very significant and instructive variations In the registration number, date of birth centre name and other Infractions to Mimesoma admitted that she manipulated the fake results herself, using her phone.

    The Principal Anglican Girls’ Secondary School-Mrs. Edu Uche and the Education Secretary, Diocese of Nnewi (Anglican Communion) expressed dismay at the conduct of Epkeme Jay Mmesoma

    RECOMMENDATIONS

    1. That Elikeme Joy Mmesoma tenders an unreserved written apology to the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (AMB), the School (Anglican Girls Secondary School, Uruagu Nnew) and the Anambra State Government. This should be done immediately.

    2 Elikeme Joy Mmesoma should undergo a psychological counselling and therapy

    3. All prospective candidates for JAMB Admission should adhere strictly to guidelines, processes and procedures of the examination body.

    The Committee of Inquiry commends Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for their diligent handling of the matter and the information supplied about the interface with the candidate (see attached). We hope that this unearthing of the truth as we have discovered will go a long way in correcting the sentiments, misconceptions and deceptions that have been in the public domain.

    CONCLUSION

    Finally, we thank Mr. Governor for setting up this Committee, and, for the confidence reposed in the committee.

  • NECO unveils ‘e-Verify’ Portal for online confirmation of results

    The National Examination Council (NECO) has unveiled the ”NECO ‘e-Verify” platform to ease the verification of results, and checkmate manipulation and falsification of results conducted by the council.

    The Registrar/Chief Executive of NECO, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, in his address of welcome at the ceremony in Abuja, said all requests for verification or confirmation of results were routed through its headquarters in Minna, which took long time to process.

    “The ‘NECO e-Verify’ is an Online Result Verification solution that guarantees instant authentication of academic and basic information about prospective candidates for admission and employment into academic institutions and workplaces respectively,” he explained.

    Wushishi said due to the growing need for verification and confirmation of results by institutions both at home and abroad, the council decided that now was the best time to introduce the e-Verify platform.

    He explained that from available records, the council has observed that there were requests for verification and confirmation of results from 64 institutions across 37 countries between 2020 and 2022.

    Wushishi further said that similar requests were gotten from 72 institutions in Nigeria within the same period, adding that this is besides requests from individuals which are numerous.

    “Result verification is an important process that helps ensure the accuracy of academic credentials.

    “It is an irrefutable fact that academic institutions and employers of labour, among other agencies, rely on verification of results to help them select the best prospective student for admission and employment purposes.

    “By verifying the authenticity of candidates’ results, academic institutions, and employers will be more confident in that they are admitting and hiring persons who have the required qualification for further studies and specific job schedules.

    “Some of the benefits of the ‘NECO e-Veify Portal’ include increased confidence, reduce risk, and improve efficiency. This system will bring a great deal of relief to millions of our students, educational institutions, and other stakeholders,” Wushishi said.

    The Chairperson of the occasion, who is also the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom, Dr Akon Eyakenyi, expressed happiness in being part of the history of NECO e-Verify.

    According to her, beyond making things easier for candidates, it will hopefully generate income that threatened the financial base of NECO.

    “NECO and other Examination bodies in Nigeria have done well but must work towards the full automation of the entire process of examination administration, while our schools and institutions should embrace e-learning.

    “This is a world of possibilities; don’t see the obstacles, see the possibilities. The failures of the modern world would be those who are unable to record change early enough and key into it.

    “Like what we are doing today, this is key to the change that is global. I am sure that the designers of the App are taking notice of the activities of hackers with a view to ensuring that the system is impenetrable to intruders

    “The activities of fraudsters who constantly seek to gain unauthorized access are a major headache to the modern world,” she stressed.

    The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr. David Adejoh, has commended NECO for the initiative of the e-Verify platform.

    “This activity seat perfectly well with the tenth pillar of the ministerial strategic plan which focuses on adopting and using optically information, technology, and communication to the advancement of education in Nigeria.

    “We have gathered here as proof that NECO is ensuring that its operations align with global best practices with the e-Verify portal.

    “It is going to help all stakeholders to access their results and verify from anywhere in the globe. It is faster and easier than the current tedious process,” Adejoh said.

    In his goodwill message, the acting Executive Secretary of National University Commission (NUC), Mr. Chris Maiyaki, congratulated NECO for unveiling the e-Verify Platform.

    “The NUC coordinates the activities of over 264 Universities across the country.

    “We are happy to be associated with NECO to ensure the authentic verification of results of candidates who seek admission into universities.

    “We urge NECO to ensure that the portal stands the test of time and not be subjected to manipulation by hackers,” Maiyaki charged.

    Meanwhile, the IT Expert, Mr. Sule Onu, said the Portal has landing and unlanding pages that have two steps of verification; Bukl and Instant verification.

    According to him, an individual will have to register in the system with name, email address, phone number, and password, adding that messages will be sent to the email and phone number.

    “The process would take the individual to a page that he or she would have to pay to obtain a token.”

    The event attracted officials from the Ministry of Education, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Military, the Commission for Colleges of Education, the Nigeria Police, and the National Assembly, among other relevant stakeholders. 

  • Set another test for Mmesoma, Ohaneze tells JAMB

    The Youth Wing of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has urged the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to bring Miss Mmesoma Ejikeme’s alleged results falsification case to rest by testing her with another examination.

    Miss Ejikeme, who is a former student of Anglican Girls Secondary School, Nnewi in Anambra, celebrated her emergence as the candidate with the highest score in the year 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

    JAMB, in a statement on Sunday signed by its Spokesperson, Dr Fabian Benjamin, however, accused Miss Ejikeme of inflating her results to curry favour, adding that the result would be withdrawn as she would have to face prosecution.

    Also on Tuesday, JAMB slammed a three-year ban on Mmesoma, insisting that her score was fake and manipulated.

    Speaking with newsmen in Owerri, on Tuesday, the Financial Secretary of the Ohanaeze Youth Wing, Mazi Chinedu Arthur-Ugwa, called on the examination board to put the matter to rest by resetting the examination for Miss Ejikeme.

    Arthur-Ugwa described the situation as `embarrassing’ to the candidate, JAMB, and Nigeria in general and called on the Board to immediately clear its image and that of the nation.

    He added that the allegation would come with negative psychological and emotional effects on Mmesoma.

    Arthu-Ugwa called on the body to “desist from causing harm” in any form or by any means on an innocent youth who had yet to be pronounced guilty by the results of ongoing investigations into the matter.

    “Only another examination supervised by independent observers will bring this matter to rest and we will avail ourselves to be part of the supervision if need be,” he said.

    According to him, the Board had never complained of any attempt to manipulate its website, hence the need for the board not to preempt investigations.

    “Only a few years back, JAMB told us how a snake swallowed a huge sum of money in one of its offices; today we are being told that the results of an examination that should admit students into our hallowed tertiary institutions can no longer be trusted for what they are.

    “JAMB must, as a matter of national importance, realise the seriousness of its role in society and stop being in the news for the wrong reasons.

    “If its management can no longer hold forth, then let the Federal Government overhaul the entire board and save our country and her people from needless embarrassment,’’ he said.

    Miss Ejikeme has denied the allegations, insisting that she scored a total of 362 marks in the examination as against JAMB’s 249, dding that she printed the result from the board’s portal. 

  • Subsidy: CIEPUK offers varsity scholarships to public, private sector workers’ wards

    The Chartered Institute of Educational Practitioners, United Kingdom (CIEPUK) on Monday said it was set to offer university scholarship to the wards of both public and private sector workers across the country.

    CIEPUK had earlier revealed that it was partnering several institutions and the National Association of Private School Proprietors’ (NAPSP) to award scholarship to outstanding students in the just concluded 2023 JAMB/UTME examinations.

    Prof. Marcel Ezenwoye, the National President of CIEPUK, however said that the Institute had decided to extend its scholarship programme to students whose parents were either working for government or in the private sector.

    He said the gesture was a way of helping the workers cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy regime being introduced by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

    He explained that CIEPUK was partnering several universities both within and outside the country to offer 50 percent scholarship to these children of civil servants and private sector workers in the country.

    Ezenwoye noted that the 50 percent scholarship would cover part of the student’s tuition, hostel and other fees throughout their four-year period in which they are expected to study in the university of their choice.

    He added that the 50 percent scholarship to any university of their choice, would cover both JAMB/UTME students who did very well and other students with lower scores, provided they apply between now and Aug. 30.

    “In line with the Federal Government’s policies on inclusive, affordable and accessible education under the able watch of President Bola Tinubu and his Vice Kashim Shettima.

    “Our goal is to lighten the burden of these government/private sector workers and the strain on their finances occasioned by the fuel subsidy regime.

    “So that for a semester, they pay N60,000 as tuition fees, N30,000 for hostel and N5,000 as medical fees for their wards.

    “CIEPUK has therefore decided to allocate 20 scholarship slots each to staff of the various ministries, government institutions, parastatals, agencies as well as private organisations across the country.

    “Interested staff with eligible wards are advised to apply through their various ministries and private organisations as CIEPUK would deal directly and officially with the management of the organisations for a seamless and well-coordinated exercise.

    “The beneficiaries would access categorised scholarship to enable them study the course of their choice in any of our collaborating public and private Universities and polytechnics in Nigeria and overseas, for 2023/2024 academic session.

    “The list of tertiary institutions involved in the scholarship programme include; Hipdet University, Cameroon, Gideon Robert University, Lusaka, Zambia, St. Monica University, Cameroon, Paul University, Awka, Tansian University, Umunya Anambra State and Maduka University, Enugu State.

    “Others are Covenant Polytechnic, Owerri, Temple Gate Polytechnic, Aba and Dorben Polytechnic, Abuja,” he said.

    “Admission forms are already on sale and first scholarship/admission screening interview holds on August 30th, 2023 at the Old Registrar’s office, Paul University, Awka or CIEPUK Head Office, Abuja at 12 noon prompt.

    “You can go to our website www.ciepuk.org.uk to confirm the courses we offer as well as call 08069030670, 07030808907 or visit Ciepuk Educators House (Head Office), 39A First Avenue, Gwarimpa, Abuja for more information,” he said.

    He noted that government ministry, parastatal and private organisation would receive an award letter for the 20 university scholarship slots to enable them compile the list of their nominees within the next seven days.

    He urged the various ministries and private organisations who do not receive their award letters within the next seven days not to hesitate to call or visit the CIEPUK headquarters for prompt response. NAN

  • Premiere Academy: Court affirms FCCCPC’s powers to investigate Keren’s death

    A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed the suit by Premiere Academy challenging the powers of the Federal Competition and Consumers Protection Commission to investigate the incident that led to the death of one of its students, Keren-Happuch Aondodoo Akpagher.

    FCCPC stated that on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, the Federal High Court; CORAM: Justice N. E. Maha in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/26/2022 – Premiere Academy Limited (Premiere) v Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (Commission) and 2 Ors dismissed a claim by Premiere and upheld the inherent powers, jurisdiction and mandate of the Commission under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018 (FCCPA)  to investigate the broadest range of consumer protection issues irrespective of whether other components (such as criminal) of the legal process is implicated by the conduct that is subject of consumer dissatisfaction.

    According to a statement by Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of FCPPC, Babatunde Irukera, at the weekend in Abuja, the court specifically dismissed Premiere Academy’s argument that the police investigation of conduct necessarily preempts a regulatory investigation of the same conduct from the standpoint of consumer rights.

    The Court rejected the school’s argument that a criminal investigation into an allegation of rape or molestation of a student while under the care of Premiere constitutes a bar and prevents the Commission from investigating any failure(s) in the duty of care owed to a student as a consumer of services provided by the school.

    On June 22, 2021, Keren-Happuch Aondodoo Akpagher (Keren) a student of Premiere died after having taken ill in the boarding facilities of the school. The circumstances leading to her death have become disputed including allegations of lack of sufficient care by Premiere in managing and escalating her medical condition and clinical status, as well as an allegation that Keren may have been subjected to sexual molestation which conduct or aftermath may have contributed to her medical/clinical condition and eventual death.

    “The Commission commenced an investigation by issuing a Notice of Commencement of Investigation pursuant to Sections 17, 18, 32, 33, 113, 157 and 159 of the FCCPA, in order to determine any infringements of the FCCPA that might have occurred with respect to the duty of care owed to Keren and her family, and for the purpose of ensuring Premiere as an institution and facility are sufficiently equipped, safe and secure to continue to render boarding or other custodial services to existing and prospective students. Premiere in response and continuation of a resistance to fully comply with the Commission’s request for evidence filed this action at the Federal High Court, seeking to restrain the Commission from discharging a vital statutory responsibility to consumers.

    “The clear unequivocal decision of the Court in characterizing the suit by Premiere as “frivolous and lacking in merit”; as well as judicially affirming the responsibility and powers of the Commission to investigate occurrences in the circumstances as not inconsistent with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended)  and the Nigeria Police Act, 2020 is a further demonstration, strengthening and institutionalization of an important national priority and constitutional imperative which is consumer protection and holding service providers accountable to their customers or persons/entitieswho act on their behalf.

    “The Court’s further declaration that courts lack powers to stop a statutory body from carrying out its duties as doing that will negate the doctrine of separation of powers is though a repeated judicial declaration but, a timely emphasis that is crucial for an accountability framework that promotes and ensures the appropriate duty and standard of care that businesses and service providers must embrace in delivering what they sell or provide to consumers and  their interactions with Regulators.

    “The Commission welcomes this well-thought-out decision and commends the Premiere, other institutions and undertakings that provide goods or services to consumers. In the absence of any legitimate or legal restraint in the circumstances, the Commission will accordingly and assiduously progress this long pending and outstanding investigation; and invites Premiere to recognize and comply with its obligations under the law,” Irukera said.

  • UTME: CIEPUK partners varsities, NAPSP to award scholarships to outstanding students

    UTME: CIEPUK partners varsities, NAPSP to award scholarships to outstanding students

    The Chartered Institute of Educational Practitioners, United Kingdom (CIEPUK) is set to partner several institutions and the National Association of Private School Proprietors’ (NAPSP) to award scholarship to outstanding students in the just concluded 2023 JAMB/UTME examinations.

    Prof. Marcel Ezenwoye, the National President of CIEPUK, said the gesture was a way of rewarding excellence and encouraging hardworking students in the country.

    He said it was also in line with the Federal Government’s policies on inclusive, affordable and accessible education under the able watch of President Bola Tinubu and his vice Shettima.

    “CIEPUK is partnering several universities both within and outside the country to offer 50 percent scholarship to JAMB/UME students, so that for a semester, they pay N60,000 as tuition fees, N30,000 for hostel and N5,000 as medical fees.

    “CIEPUK therefore invites Jambites and other admission seekers for categorised scholarship to enable them study the course of their choice in any of our collaborating public and private Universities and polytechnics in Nigeria and overseas, for 2023/2024 academic session.

    “The list of tertiary institutions involved in the scholarship programme include; Hipdet University, Cameroon, Gideon Robert University, Lusaka, Zambia, St. Monica University, Cameroon, Paul University, Awka, Tansian University, Umunya Anambra State and Maduka University, Enugu State.

    “Others are Covenant Polytechnic, Owerri, Temple Gate Polytechnic, Aba and Dorben Polytechnic, Abuja,” he said.

    Ezenwoye explained that the 50 percent scholarship would cover part of the student’s tuition, hostel and other fees throughout their four-year period in which they are expected to study in the University of their choice.

    He added that other students with lower scores would also enjoy the 50 percent scholarship in the university of their choice, provided they apply between now and August 30.

    The don added that CIEPUK was also partnering NAPSP in the scholarship programme.

    He said this was in recognition of the invaluable role that NAPSP play in moulding the future of these youths.

    “We therefore cordially invite all school owners/principals to partner with us in giving them quality higher education and a secured future devoid of strike, cultism, gangsterism and other forms of vices that characterise our educational institutions today.

    “CIEPUK, hereby offers 20 students each registered NAPSP members our 50 percent scholarship to all the incoming students in the 2023/2024 academic session.

    “Admission forms are already on sale and first scholarship/admission screening interview holds on August 30th, 2023 at the Old Registrar’s office, Paul University, Awka at 12 noon prompt.

    “You can go to our website www.ciepuk.org.uk to confirm the courses we offer as well as call 08069030670, 07030808907 or visit CIEPUK Educators House, 39A First Avenue, Gwarimpa, Abuja, for more information.

  • Best candidate in 2023 UTME from Anambra– JAMB

    *UniLag, UniIlorin are most sought after varsities in Nigeria

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has said that a female candidate, Nkechinyere Umeh came top in the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) with a cumulative mark of 360.

    The board Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede disclosed this in Abuja on Saturday at the 2023 policy meeting for tertiary institutions.

    Oloyede, while making presentation at the meeting, said Nkechinyere, an indigene of Anambra state scored 360 mark in the examination.

    The JAMB registrar also unveiled the top 10 candidates, among whom were Stephen Aguele from Edo state, who scored 358 came second best; Oluwafemi Ositade from Osun state scored 358 and came third on the list.

    Also listed are Gbolahan Ayinde from Lagos state scored 357; John Fulfilment from Edo state scored 356 and Chimdubem Ugonna from Imo scored 355, among others.

    Oloyede also said that the University of Ilorin and the University of Lagos made the top list of the most sought after universities for the 2023 UTME.

    He said that these institutions were recognised due to the attraction of high number of applicants during the 2023 UTME application period.

    “The University of Ilorin came first on the list followed by the University of Lagos in the second place.

    ”Lagos State University is third on the list while Federal University, Oye-Ekiti is in fourth place,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, David Adejo said that the policy meeting would decide and agree on the modalities and guidelines for the 2023 admissions to tertiary institutions.

    ” I am aware that between the last policy meeting and now, a number of initiatives have been introduced as part of updating the existing systems.

    ”Let us familiarise ourselves with the changes that will be unfolded as this meeting progresses.

    ”I also deem it necessary to reiterate one of the resolutions of the last meeting that the admission process by the institutions should be flexible in their adherence to procedure without compromising integrity.

    On curbing of illegal admissions, Adejo said that the board’s Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) had revolutionise the admission process, eliminated administrative bottlenecks and ensured seamless interface for both applicants and institutions.

    ”As usual with JAMB, specific advisories have been issued to guide different aspects of the process. I, therefore, urge every institution to continue to comply with all advisories as a matter of regulation. 

    ”It is interesting to note that between last year and now, CAPS has been widened to become, in addition to its original purpose, a secure communication platform between JAMB and each of the Vice Chancellors, Registrars, Admission Officers and Directors of Academic Planning of tertiary institutions.

    ”Besides, the Integrated Brochure And Syllabus System (IBASS) has also been widened to accommodate safe and personalised communication among the three regulatory agencies, JAMB and the institutions,” he added.

    He, therefore, commended the board for providing a platform on the ‘Condonement of Undisclosed Illegal Institutional Admission’ (CUIIA) for all such admissions conducted by various institutions outside of CAPS between 2017 and 2020.

    He said that no condonement beyond 2020 admission would be entertained while calling on institutions to abide by the guidelines emphasised in the admission process.

    He added that any admission found to have issued admission to any student outside CAPS would henceforth attract the strictest of sanctions irrespective of the status of the violator.

  • 557,626 candidates admitted into tertiary institutions -JAMB

    The Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Ishaq Oloyede says 557,626 candidates from 1.8 million applications have been admitted into tertiary institutions across the country in its 2022 admission processes.

    Oloyede said this at the 2023 Policy Meeting on Admissions into Tertiary Institutions in Abuja Saturday.

    Oloyede said that the 2022 admission process is still ongoing due to opportunities given to some key players in the sector to conduct admissions.

    The registrar, who discredited notions from the public that admissions were given by JAMB, said admission depended on the availability of candidates five 0’level requirements as UTME was only meant for admission ranking.

    ”As at June 19, tertiary institutions have admitted 557,626 candidates but as we speak today, the admission is up to 600,000 as we target about 700,000. This is because admission is still ongoing.

    ”We hear about cut-off marks by JAMB but the truth is, that is not the best candidate who scored the highest mark in UTME that is the best candidate.

    ”Admission is based on the five O’level results that a candidate possesses because we only make use of UTME for admission ranking. JAMB has not initiated admissions since 2016,” he said.

    Speaking on gaps in admission vacancies and why candidates were not admitted, Oloyede said rigidity of programme choice and mismatch of demand and supply were responsible.

    He also listed lack of interest for existing vacancies and trail-candidates (No o’level results or awaiting results) as responsible for admission gaps in the tertiary institutions.

    He, therefore, said that the onus lied with institutions to determine the National Minimum Tolerable UTME score, often called the ‘Cut-off marks’.

    The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, David Adejo, urged the stakeholders to ensure fairness, transparency and accountability in the admission processes which determined the fate of millions of students.

    Adejo called on admission stakeholders to ensure credibility in the process so that no candidate would be denied admission as well as no deserving candidate was given admission.

    ”The Federal Ministry of Education has resolved that the fundamental principle of the ministry is openness and this has been provided by JAMB through inclusiveness in the UTME.

    ”JAMB must ensure sanity and integrity of exams and admission must be based on agreed guidelines to deepen accountability, transparency and fairness.

    ” Criteria for admissions remained critical by JAMB and all institutions must abide by them as we need to stick to the approved quota for admission,” he said.

    The policy meeting had in attendance representatives from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Vice Chancellors of Universities and Rectors of Polytechnics.

    Others are Provosts of Colleges of Education (COE), Registrars and Admission Officers of tertiary institutions, Heads of Federal Agencies, National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) and the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE).