Uganda and Kenya Request JAMB to Verify Students’ Certificates Amid Fake Certificate Scandal

Uganda and Kenya have written to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to request verification of students’ certificates following a scandal involving fake documentation.

In the wake of recent instances of fraudulent certification uncovered by JAMB, examination boards in Kenya and Uganda have decided to contact Nigeria for confirmation of academic records provided by Nigerian candidates who are applying for admission into tertiary institutions within their nations.

On Wednesday, Channels Television obtained a document titled ‘Registrar’s Report on 2023 ADMISSION & 2024 UTME Policy Meeting’, in which JAMB proclaimed this information.

JAMB emphasized the importance of safeguarding Nigeria’s higher education institutions from global criticism in accordance with the document, and asserted that it would not compromise any students’ records.

The Nigerian examination body affirmed that JAMB will not falsify records, as Uganda and Kenya exam boards have contacted them to verify admission candidates’ presented documents.

The verification of degree certificates from Uganda, Kenya, Benin Republic, Togo and other countries has been temporarily halted by the Federal Government due to accusations of certificate fraud.

The Federal Government made its decision following an investigation by Umar Audu, a Daily Nigeria reporter who exposed how he earned a degree in just six weeks from Benin Republic.

Following his report, the Federal Government established an Inter-Ministerial Investigative Committee for Degree Certificate Milling in order to investigate certificate fraudsters’ actions.

According to a report by Channels Television, JAMB warned that it would impose sanctions on higher institutions if they fail to provide lists of admitted students right after matriculation.

One of the recommendations made by a committee established by the Federal Government to curb counterfeit degree fraud in Nigeria has been confirmed as being proposed by JAMB’s Public Communications Advisor, Fabian Benjamin.

As per a document titled ‘CLARIFICATION ON DISCLOSURE OF ADMITTED CANDIDATES OUTSIDE CAPS (2017-DATE)’, issued by JAMB and obtained by Channels Television, educational institutions must send their matriculation lists to the Federal Ministry of Education within three months after holding the ceremonies.

Submission of the list is anticipated to be made via JAMB’s designated medium.

Numerous candidates have been visiting the Board’s offices in order to address issues regarding the disclosure of those who were admitted beyond the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) from 2017 up until now. We acknowledge their eagerness but it is important for us to clarify that our focus should not solely be on a candidate’s actions, rather we must emphasize and hold institutions accountable for disclosing all such admissions prior to August 31st, 2024 deadline.

It is essential to act on this directive promptly and follow it strictly. We strongly advise institutions to thoroughly review our initial correspondence and ensure complete adherence because not disclosing such information will have harsh ramifications. Additionally, candidates should keep in mind that they must decline admission offers originating from outside CAPS.

The Board restated its stance that it would not consider candidates who were not disclosed by their institutions. Going forward, the Board will take a firm stand against any acceptance of undisclosed admissions.

A memorandum was directed to the JAMB on July 15, 2024 by the Ministry of Education in a related development. The memo reminded that an inter-ministerial committee had been formed by the ministry after reports surfaced about certificate frauds at foreign institutes particularly located in Cotonou, Benin Republic and some other countries with regard to finding permanent resolutions for such issues.

Upon submission of its report, the committee received approval from the Honourable Minister of Education to implement their recommendations.

With regard to this matter, I am transmitting the request of the honorable minister for carrying out the recommended actions by the committee:

Make it compulsory for all tertiary institutions in Nigeria to carry out their admission processes only via the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s Central Admissions Processing System. Additionally, instruct these institutions to provide a list of their newly matriculated students through JAMB’s designated channel no later than three months following graduation ceremonies under the auspices of the Federal Ministry of Education.

Kindly implement the above recommendations and provide the ministry with updates on their implementation.

On Thursday of last week, Channels Television announced that 54 corps members who were unlawfully mobilized by the University of Calabar had been demobilized by the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC).

In addition to the 101 certificates previously annulled by the scheme, a total of 178 have now been voided.

Tahir Mamman, the Minister of Education, has sworn to eliminate individuals with fraudulent degrees from Nigeria’s educational system in view of recent progress.