Fabian Benjamin, JAMB’s spokesperson, shared this in a statement on Sunday, February 9, 2025. He emphasized that universities look at several factors when making admission decisions, such as O’level results, UTME scores, and performance in post-UTME tests.
“A high UTME score alone does not secure admission. Universities consider various criteria, including ranking based on merit, catchment areas, and quotas for Educationally Less Developed States (ELDS),” the statement explained.
This clarification comes in response to concerns from candidates and parents who feel that universities are turning away students with high UTME scores.
JAMB addressed a specific complaint from a parent, Godwin Nsan, who claimed that the University of Calabar unfairly rejected his son. Upon investigation, JAMB found that the candidate scored 201 in UTME but had an overall score of only 34 percent, which fell short of the university’s minimum cut-off of 55 percent for merit admissions and 35 percent for other categories.
In another case, a candidate with a UTME score of 345 claimed the University of Jos (UniJos) denied him admission. However, JAMB’s review showed he ranked 86th, while the university could only accept 68 students based on merit. After hearing this, the candidate’s father acknowledged the situation and apologized.
JAMB pointed out that even a UTME score of 345 could rank a candidate as low as 300, depending on the university’s capacity and competition.
They urged parents and candidates to grasp the comprehensive nature of the admission process instead of assuming that a high UTME score guarantees a place in their chosen institution.
“Admission is competitive, and institutions must adhere to a structured ranking process. We advise parents to seek clarification through the appropriate channels instead of making unfounded allegations,” JAMB stated.
The board also informed candidates that they have the option to contest admission decisions via its official ‘ticketing platform,’ which facilitates inquiries and appeals.
In addition, JAMB revealed that a high-ranking university official is facing prosecution for purported admission-related offenses, with four additional individuals currently under investigation.
The board emphasized its strict zero-tolerance stance on admission irregularities, assuring the public of its dedication to a fair and transparent selection process while actively addressing any institution or individual involved in unethical practices.