By Jimmy Jackson
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has uncovered 21 candidates who attempted to gain admission into various tertiary institutions in 2023 using fake Interim Joint Matriculation Board (IJMB) results.
Among these candidates, 12 were recommended for admission by Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, amounting to a breach in the admissions process.
A policy document obtained in Abuja revealed that the candidates were identified during the 2023 admissions process, and none of their recommendations were approved by JAMB.
The Board lamented the audacity of these actions, particularly pointing out that the recommendations were made despite the requirement for certificate screening to be conducted after registration.
“JAMB discovered that 21 candidates who paraded fake IJMB results were recommended during the 2023 admission.
“They were not approved. Twelve of the recommendations were by ABU, Zaria—what an audacious attitude,” a part of the document reads.
The board identified that five institutions were involved in the questionable recommendations.
In response, JAMB reiterated that all certificates submitted for admission must bear the signature of the institution’s head, whether the Vice-Chancellor, Provost, or Rector.
JAMB’s discovery further established the importance of its Nigerian Post-Secondary Education Data System (N-PEDS) verification platform, which was unveiled in 2021 to authenticate IJMB and JUPEB results.
This platform was introduced following an investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Federal Ministry of Education, which uncovered widespread irregularities and resulted in forgery.
JAMB has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the integrity of the admissions process and has warned institutions to adhere strictly to verification protocols to prevent the proliferation of fake results.
