JAMB was set up based on the recommendations of CVC –Oloyede
The Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede, has shed light on the establishment of JAMB, evolution, and pivotal role in the Nigerian tertiary education system.
Speaking at a lecture held in honour of the retiring renowned academic from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka UNN, and a former Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Benjamin Chukwuma Ozumba, Prof. Oloyede explored the historical journey and governance framework of JAMB, with special emphasis on its transformative impact on admission processes in Nigeria.
Oloyede, also a former Vice Chancellor, University of Ilorin, stated that the establishment of the Board dated back to a pivotal moment in Nigerias tertiary education system when concerns over disparate admission procedures prompted the Committee of Vice Chancellors (CVC) to advocate a centralised admission system.
The Federal Government heeded this call as it recognised the need for a standardised approach to the issue of admissions into tertiary institutions in the country, culminating in the establishment of a central examination body, JAMB, in 1977.
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According to him, the Board, from its inception, has a governance structure reflecting the symbiotic relationship with the academic community, with leading academics assuming leadership roles within the governance structure of the Board to ensure alignment with institutional interests and traditions. Speaking further, Prof. Oloyede stated that over the years, JAMB has evolved to encompass a broader mandate, extending beyond conducting UTME to overseeing admissions processes in collaboration with tertiary institutions.
In this regard, he stressed the pivotal role of the Board in promoting fairness and transparency, ensuring that candidates are evaluated and selected based on merit and published institutional criteria.
Furthermore, he also highlighted the cordial relationship between JAMB and other regulatory bodies such as the National Universities Commission (NUC), National Board for Technical (NBTE) and the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) to underscore the importance of collaboration in maintaining the integrity of the admission process.
On a final note, he submitted that as the Nigerias tertiary education system continues to evolve, JAMB would not remain aloof as it must continue to champion as well as embody the principles of service, integrity, accountability, and equitable access to education.