JAMB has no power to decide qualification for admission – ASUU

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has accused the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB) of encroaching into the university’s autonomy.

President of the union, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, after announcing a four-week strike action beginning from February 14, lamented that the autonomy of universities is under increasing threat by the meddlesome activities of JAMB in admission processes and regulation of academic activities in the Nigerian university system.

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According to Osodeke, JAMB was created by an Act of the National Assembly in 1978 and is responsible for the conduct of matriculation examinations for admission into a tertiary institution in Nigeria, the appointment of examiners and collection/dissemination of information on all matters relating to entrance examinations.

Prof. Osodeke pointed out that it is the prerogative and responsibility of each university’s senate to superintend over all academic matters in the university, including setting the admission requirements and approval of university undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.

He, however, emphasized that JAMB has no powers to decide qualification for admission, adding that it also lacked the powers to give admission or delist programmes of universities.

The ASUU’s President further pointed out that giving admission to candidates is the duty of a university’s senate while regulation or accreditation of programmes is the prerogative of the National University Commission (NUC).

He emphasised that JAMB at best is an examination body and clearinghouse for admission into tertiary institutions.

“It is however a matter of regret that JAMB is operating outside its jurisdiction of collecting and disseminating information on matters relating to admissions from respective institutions based on Senate recommendations,” he lamented.

ASUU, therefore, called on JAMB to desist from overstepping its original mandate and allow universities to decide on admission policies and processes.