The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued a statement clarifying its role amid ongoing disputes concerning Higher National Diploma (HND) graduates and their exclusion from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) mobilization.
Recent claims by some HND graduates have suggested that their inability to participate in the NYSC was due to JAMB’s involvement, particularly because they had pursued their Ordinary National Diploma (OND) part-time while completing their HND full-time. JAMB has firmly rejected these allegations, stating that it is not responsible for this issue.
In a statement released on Monday, September 2, in Abuja, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, JAMB’s spokesperson, emphasized that the Board’s role does not extend to HND admissions. He referenced Section 5(2) of the JAMB Establishment Act, which outlines the Board’s responsibilities.
“How on earth does that concern JAMB when Section 5(2) of the law that established JAMB states that, ‘For the avoidance of doubt, the Board shall be responsible for determining matriculation requirements and conducting examinations leading to undergraduate admissions, as well as for admissions to National Diploma and Nigerian Certificate in Education courses. However, the Board shall not be responsible for examinations or any other selective processes for postgraduate courses or any other courses offered by tertiary institutions,’” Benjamin said.
The statement further clarified that JAMB was only involved in the admissions process for the National Diploma (ND) and was not aware of or responsible for the subsequent HND admissions. JAMB had previously condoned and endorsed ND admissions, but its involvement ended there.
“Their subsequent admission to HND is unknown and irrelevant to the mandate of the Board. As such, accusing the Board on issues it has no mandate is preposterous,” the statement added.
JAMB also issued a warning to those who might have engaged in activities that could be deemed criminal, stating that such matters would be addressed appropriately in due course.
“The public is urged to disregard the accusations labeled against the Board as it has no mandate on such matters,” the statement concluded.
