Over 3,000 Candidates With High Scores Denied Admission Into Nigerian Varsities

The figure is based on the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s admission statistics for the three years. The statistics for 2018, 2019, and 2020 have been posted on the board’s website.

Following the completion of the 2021 admissions, the board is still working on the statistics for 2021.

While tertiary institutions are free to set their own cut-off marks for admission, it is widely assumed that candidates with higher UTME scores have an advantage over those with lower UTME scores.

In 2018, JAMB reported that while 4,683 candidates scored 300 or higher, only 3,683 were admitted, while 1,000 were denied admission.

In 2019, a total of 2,967 candidates scored 300 or higher, and while 2,288 were admitted, 679 were denied.

In 2020, a total of 4,948 students scored 300 and above, while 3,492 candidates were admitted, 1,456 were denied admission.

The JAMB registrar, Prof Ishaq Oloyede, on the website of the board listed, “Wrong O’Level subject combination; low post-UTME screening score; non-acceptance of admission offer; duplication of application; absence from post-UTME screening and mismatch of catchment” as some of the reasons some candidates who scored over 300 marks did not get admission.

Obamiyi said, “The issue of subject combination is a big deal. In the JAMB brochure, there are UTME subject combinations for different courses. Similarly, at the O’Level, there are certain combinations.

“For instance, you can’t be aspiring to study Medicine and choose Mathematics, English and Religious Studies as your UTME subjects. Students and parents need to be sensitised. JAMB is already doing enough by sensitising through the distribution of JAMB brochures.”

Meanwhile, the board’s Head of Public Affairs and Protocol, Dr Fabian Benjamin, issued a statement on Monday directing all candidates who registered for the UTME and DE but had yet to link their e-mail addresses with their profiles to go to any JAMB approved Computer Based Test centres and do so.

“With the examination completed, it has now become imperative for candidates to link their e-mail addresses with their profiles to complete their registration process to facilitate the printing of their results.

“To do this, all a candidate needs to do is to visit any accredited CBT centre to get the linkage done after which the e-mail becomes part and parcel of the candidates’ completed profiles,” Benjamin said.