The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board(JAMB) says there is high possibility to shift the date for the 2021 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination
The JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede said this was because close to 600, 000 candidates who have indicated an interest in the exam are yet to register.
Speaking at a virtual meeting with 2021 UTME committee members on Friday, Oloyede disclosed that 1.1 million candidates have so far registered for the 2021 UTM and the board anticipated approximately 1.9 million registrations at the end of the exercise.
According to the JAMB boss, 50 percent of the candidates have registered without problem but there was a need to carry everyone along.
He stated that at the end of the meeting with the stakeholders, they would decide whether to shift the exam forward or not.
“The possibility of shifting the exam forward is still high, but that will be determined after our meeting with stakeholders,” said Professor Oloyede.
He added, “This is because about 600,000 candidates who have indicated interest in the exam are yet to register. There is a need to give everyone the opportunity.”
The examination body had directed candidates to provide two pictures in the exam script – that of who registers for the exam and of persons who register for the National Identification Number(NIN).
The NIN is a unique number that is mandatory for all in Nigeria and is issued by the country’s National Identity Management Commission(NIMC) upon enrolment.
Prof. Oloyede apologized for the initiatives introduced in the 2021 UTME , noting that it was not to punish candidates but to expose candidates who indulge in various forms of examination malpractices
“We apologise for putting you through some hardship in the registration. The government directed that anyone participating in JAMB must have their NIN. This is beyond our control. Those who are yet to register should do so.
“The MOCK exam is bill to come up on Thursday. It is an exam meant to test out capability. As you all know, the main exam is coming up on June 5 and 19, 2021,” he told the meeting.
The JAMB boss added, “We are meeting with stakeholders today to discuss the issues and on whether we will shift the exam date forward or not. We will brief the media on the outcome of the meeting tomorrow.
“Shifting the exam date is not the solution; at the meeting, we will discuss how some of the problems encountered by candidates would be resolved. It is important that we carry everyone along.”
He revealed that JAMB has secured about 802 exam centres across the country and 104 centres in towns.
