FG okays JAMB’s preparations for 2018 UTME

The Federal Government has expressed satisfaction with the preparation and facilities being put in place for the conduct of the forthcoming Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

Malam Adamu Adamu, the Minister of Education, spoke briefly with newsmen in Abuja, after inspecting some of the Computer Based Centres ahead of the 2018 UTME.

He said he was happy with what was on the ground by way of facilities in some of the examination centres.

The registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Is’haq Oloyede, said the board would continue to initiate reforms that would add value to the conduct of the matriculation examination.

The UTME is a computer-based standardised examination for prospective candidates into tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

The Board had announced the closure of registration for 2018 UTME on midnight of Sunday, 11th February, 2018 after two months of registration window.

Professor Oloyede warned that from next year, the board would introduce penalty for late registration, saying that the board was compelled to extend the closing date from 6th February to 11th February, 2018 to accommodate more Nigerians.

He said JAMB as a responsive organisation took the decision, albeit with great hesitation, to accommodate candidates who failed to register between the two months window period that ended at midnight of Tuesday, 6th February, 2018.

“The failure of these candidates to register is unfortunate, and the board hastens to add that this culture of impunity will not be tolerated henceforth.

“Indeed, penalty will be imposed for late registration from next session. Registration for Direct Entry candidates however continues.”