Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) says it will conduct additional mop-up examinations for candidates who missed the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, stated this on Wednesday in Abuja at a meeting with key stakeholders to address the challenges encountered during the 2025 UTME.

Oloyede said that the board would accommodate the estimated 5.6 per cent of candidates who missed the examination by organising a special mop-up exercise.

He said that the board had extended the opportunity to all the affected candidates, regardless of the reasons for their absence.

“Normally, we hold one mop-up nationwide for those with one issue or the other.

“But this time, we are creating a new mop-up. Even those who missed the earlier examination due to absence, we will extend this opportunity to them.

“It is not that we are doing something extraordinary; in class, you make up an examination when students miss it for one reason or the other; we just don’t allow abuse of that.

“So we will allow all the candidates who missed the main examination for any reason to take part in this mop-up,” he said.

Oloyede criticised some public commentators who misunderstood and misrepresented the role of UTME, while clarifying that UTME was a placement test and not an achievement test.

According to him, the purpose of the examination is to rank candidates for available spaces in institutions and not to measure intelligence or overall academic potential.

The registrar further stated that high UTME score was not the sole determinant of admission, adding that combined performance, including post-UTME scores and school assessments, could significantly affect a candidate’s ranking.

While acknowledging the emotional strain experienced while announcing the UTME results, he noted that this was not indicative of an institutional weakness.

He expressed JAMB’s commitment to resolving issues affecting the examination process, even as he rejected comments suggesting that the administrative failure was due to incompetence or ethnic bias.

“I want to say this clearly, particularly because I accepted responsibility, not because I do not know how to do the work.

“I say it for the fourth time that no conspiracy theory is relevant to this case.

“Something happened; like people who have been doing something well for years and something just went wrong. That I should now throw them under the bus? No,” he said.

Oloyede, who frowned at those exploiting difficulties to promote ethnic or conspiracy-driven narratives, urged stakeholders to stop ethnic profiling in the education sector.

According to him, many of the criticisms of JAMB’s operations are rooted in ignorance.

The registrar, however, commended his team’s efforts, while also appreciating the resilience shown by candidates, many of whom, he said, had continued their exams, notwithstanding the various challenges. (NAN)

Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) has further secured full accreditations for its programmes in law, engineering, sciences as well as other fields.

The accreditations were contained in a letter addressed to the Vice Chancellor by the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu.

The letter further highlighted the Commission’s satisfaction with the institution’s adherence to academic standards and its ability to provide quality education.

According to the NUC, faculties that were fully accredited following its October/November 2024 accreditation of academic programmes in Nigerian universities included the Faculties of Law, Engineering, Sciences, Environmental Science, Education and Administration.
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Reacting to the development, the VC said the result of the accreditations was a testament to the institution’s resilience and commitment to academic excellence, and its determination to producing high-quality competitive graduates that will fit into the emerging global market where technology and innovation are driving the space.

He also attributed the accreditation to the Governor’s deliberate efforts and support for education in the State, pointing that Enugu State is the highest spender in education in the country.

“Governor Mbah is a pivotal force playing a major role and acting as an instrument and catalyst for transforming ESUT into a premier university of science and technology in Africa. The Governor’s intervention has enabled our institution to access the necessary resources and infrastructure to deliver quality education,” he added.

He extolled the governor for his leadership’s programmes for the youths aimed at improving human capital development, wealth creation and eradication of poverty in the state.
Explaining that the recent review in the university’s fees was not designed to serve as punitive measure or as school fees increment, the Vice Chancellor said it was merely adjusted to reflect the demands of economic realities and the hyper-inflation in the country.

Calling on students and parents to eschew misinformation about the ongoing interest-free students loan by the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Prof Okolie said the loan was meant for all students of federal and state tertiary institutions, including those in the southeast.

He stressed that students from other parts of the country were already accessing the fund which was very flexible to pay back years after their university education when they could have started working as either entrepreneurs or public servants.

Meanwhile, students of the university have expressed delight over the accreditations, insisting that the “good news” was possible because of a Governor who loves education and a university management dedicated to serve as example for others.

A postgraduate student in the Faculty of Administration, Ibekwe Ukachukwu, while addressing newsmen in the ESUT Permanent Site, Agbani, said the Vice Chancellor and his team had also initiated a series of reforms aimed at making the university a leading academic and research institution.

“These reforms are already yielding good results. They are now paying off and I’m glad that the management has created an environment that fosters innovation and redefines the output of the institution,” a final year student at the Faculty of Environmental Science, Eneh Chisom, added.

The International Federation of Women Lawyers, Abia State branch, has condemned the recent alleged incident of domestic violence and child abuse in which a father set himself, his wife, and their one-year-old daughter ablaze in Onicha Ngwa community in Obingwa Local Government Area of the state.

The incident occurred between 1am and 2am on Saturday, when Mr. Udochi Amala, 40 years old, allegedly set himself, his wife, Mrs. Amarachi Amala, and their three children on fire, citing suspicion of alleged infidelity by his wife.

Following the incident, Udochi, who resides in Amapuihe village in Osisioma LG and was also affected by the fire, reportedly attempted to flee but was apprehended. One of his daughters died as a result of severe burns.

According to initial reports, Udochi stated, “I have an issue with my wife, and I did not know that it would get to this extent. I am tired of this life.”

He also allegedly confirmed that he had not caught his wife, who is from Ikwuano LG, with another man.

The Police Public Relations Officer of Abia State Police Command, DSP Maureen Chinaka, confirmed the incident, stating, “Yes, the Police are aware. Investigation is ongoing.”

FIDA Abia, in a statement signed by its Chairperson, Njideka Aniawonwa, and Secretary, Eberechukwu Kanu Oji, on Tuesday, expressed its “shock, outrage, and deep concern over this horrific act, which is a gross violation of human rights and dignity.”

The organisation is demanding a thorough investigation into the incident and justice for the victims. FIDA Abia and also called “for support and protection for survivors of domestic violence and child abuse.”

FIDA Abia reiterated its commitment to promoting human rights, particularly the rights of women and children, and urged the public to report cases of domestic violence and child abuse and to support efforts to protect vulnerable individuals.

An unconfirmed source indicated that Mrs. Amala and her two other children died late Monday while receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

PUNCH