JAMB has issued a stern warning to all Nigerian universities, cautioning them against the admission of underage candidates.

The Registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Ishaq Oloyede, has issued a warning to tertiary institutions, particularly universities, regarding the admission of underage students. He emphasized that such admissions are illegal and must cease immediately.

He stated that unauthorized admissions, such as enrolling minors, should be terminated.

Oloyede made a statement during the opening of the seventh biennial conference of the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State-Owned Universities in Nigeria, which was held on Tuesday in Lagos.

The conference's central theme was “Effective University Governance: The Role of Stakeholders.”

In the interest of maintaining accountability, data security, and national integrity, it is imperative that this action be ceased. Any deviation from established norms constitutes a breach of the law.

“About two months ago, I received a letter from an European country to confirm if a student actually graduated from a particular university because she is 15 years old and applied for postgraduate course.

“They question they asked me is “Is this possible in Nigeria.

“I had to call the Vice Chancellor of the institution and he confirmed the student graduated from the university but was not admitted by JAMB.

“He had to include that he was not the VC at the time the student was admitted,” Oloyede said.

It is imperative for state-run universities to take significant action in addressing this matter, given their greater numerical presence compared to federal universities, he said.

“Also illegal admission of diploma students needs to stop because last year, we admitted 9,000 diploma students; I was alarmed that about 3,000 students came from a particular university.

“Everyone of us should be accountable because all these acts can damage our education system,” Oloyede said.

Professor Ibrahim Gambari, a former Chief of Staff to the President, strongly advised the pro-chancellors to develop a strategic plan outlining the specific actions they intend to take to enhance the competitiveness and attractiveness of their institutions, bringing them on par with federal and private universities.

Gambari indicated that this strategy enabled the institution to retain several of its most highly regarded faculty and staff members, which subsequently drew the most exceptional candidates from the pool of qualified students.

“State owned universities must explore how best to carve out specific niches which inevitably place them in a position to exploit corresponding comparative advantages that enhance their position.

“Successfully executing this , a foundation for brand creation and recognition is ascertained,” he said.

Senator Joshua Lidani, Chair of COPSUN, stated that the theme encompassed numerous topics related to governance within the university system..

Lidani, Pro-Chancellor of Gombe State University, highlighted the various challenges currently affecting the university system and tertiary education as a whole.

“Some of these challenges include: corrupt practices, impersonation, miracle exam centres, inadequate funding, proliferation of universities.

“Others were discriminate and premature dissolution of governing councils and boards of tertiary educational institutions and delay in reconstituting them,” he said.

Lidani further stated that, in addition to the illegality of these actions, a significant void was frequently left in the institution’s administration, resulting in various irregularities.

“Incessant strike action by ASUU and other labour unions and the attendant consequences in stability, quality and standards.

“These are definitely not exhaustive but are symptomatic of the deep malaise that is affecting the system and extent of the problem.

“Of course, this conference alone will not be able to address the problem but it can raise public consciousness and alarm at the threat posed to good governance, standards and quality in the tertiary educational system.

“I have no doubt that the conference can point the way forward and advise on the way stakeholders can play a better and rightful role in uplifting the standards of education in the country,” he said.