The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, has clarified that the board is not an examination body but an educational assessment and admission agency established to facilitate entry into tertiary institutions.
Oloyede made the remarks during the maiden Rite Foods National Academic Excellence Awards held at the Civic Centre in Lagos, where seven outstanding undergraduates received a total of ₦35 million in prizes.
According to him, many Nigerians mistakenly equate JAMB with examination bodies such as the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO), simply because it conducts the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
“We conduct examinations, but we are not an examination body. You cannot describe the University of Lagos as an examination body simply because it conducts examinations. In the same way, JAMB conducts examinations, but that is not its primary identity,” Oloyede said.
He explained that while examinations are part of the board’s operations, JAMB’s principal responsibility is coordinating and facilitating admissions into Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
“If you want to identify an examination body, look at WAEC or NECO. Their names clearly indicate their mandate. JAMB is an educational assessment body, and its primary goal is admission, not examination,” he added.
The JAMB registrar also noted that the widespread emphasis placed on the UTME has created a false impression that the examination alone determines admission into higher institutions.
“There is so much hype around the UTME in Nigeria. Many people believe it is the golden key to gaining admission into tertiary institutions. That is not the case,” he said.
Oloyede stressed that UTME scores represent only one stage of the admission process, with institutions also considering candidates’ subject combinations and other admission requirements before offering placement.
He warned against celebrating high UTME scores in isolation, noting that strong performance in the examination does not automatically qualify a candidate for admission.
“Many candidates score highly in the UTME but lack the required subject combinations or other qualifications needed for their chosen courses. That is why celebrating UTME scores alone can be misleading,” he explained.
Reaffirming JAMB’s mandate, Oloyede said the board serves as a central admission clearing house, ensuring that candidates are fairly placed into tertiary institutions based on merit and institutional requirements.
He added that JAMB will continue to educate the public on its admission-focused role to correct misconceptions surrounding the UTME and the board’s statutory responsibilities.
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