JAMB Approves 140 Minimum Score For Varsity Admission

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has set 140 and above as cut off mark for the 2022/23 admissions into universities across the country.
JAMB registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, disclosed this during a presentation at the 2023 policy meeting on admissions to tertiary institutions and awards in Abuja yesterday.

Oloyede said 100 had been approved as cut-off mark into polytechnics and colleges of education.

He explained that the aforementioned points were the minimum, but that does not mean institutions must comply with them.

He also said every tertiary institution must ensure its own minimum standard especially as it relates to institutional screening and grading in the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE).

“All institutions must abide by this minimum point. This means that no institution can go below the standard.
“For the 15 private universities that demanded between 120 and 130 as minimum points, note that the 140 is sacrosanct and must not be violated.
“This is because the system put in place will not recognise 139, so ensure you comply,” he said.

The board also said it would introduce an initiative called
“Bring Your Own Device” for the Unified Tertiary Matriculations Examinations (UTME) and the Direct Entry (DE) examinations.

The initiative, according to JAMB, would allow candidates to take the examinations on their mobile phones.
Oloyede said the board had continued to spend huge amounts of money on the conduct of examinations, hence the need for the initiative.

“We are looking at BOYD – the direction for JAMB students to bring their telephones. It lowers capital investment but is not helpful for digital literacy. There will be the establishment of a mobile examination
malpractice tribunal to deal with the criminal aspect while institutions handle the misconduct.

“We will be partnering with security operatives and relevant agencies on cyber crimes; engaging the machinery and sponsoring them to tap from their knowledge of candidates.
“Movement of some services to the registration portal to prevent extortion open book examination to discourage cheating.

“Political will and concerted efforts at adopting single identity for all with NIMC citizens to discourage impersonation,” he said.

For the 2023 UTME, Oloyede also disclosed that Umeh Nkechinyere emerged the top scorer with a cumulative mark of 360.

The JAMB boss also unveiled the top 10 candidates, among whom are Aguele Stephen, 358; Ositade Oluwafemi, 358; Gbolahan Ayinde, 357; John Fulfilment, 356 and Chimdubem Ugonna, 355.