The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced plans to introduce a National Identification Number (NIN) alignment service. This will help thousands of Nigerian graduates who have been unable to participate in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme because of discrepancies in their personal records.
According to Vanguard, JAMB Registrar, Professor Segun Aina, disclosed the initiative in Abuja. This was during a meeting where he was receiving a delegation from Veritas University, led by its Vice-Chancellor, Reverend Father Professor Hyacinth Ichoku.
Aina explained that some graduates had completed their university education four or five years earlier. However, they remained unable to participate in NYSC because their information in JAMB’s database did not match records held by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
JAMB introduces NIN alignment service
The registrar said the new service would allow eligible candidates to update their personal information. This means their details could correspond with their official identity records.
“I am pleased to announce that today we will be formally launching an NIN alignment service that will allow candidates to change their biodata to match their official identity and that will unlock the possibility of NYSC for thousands of people,” he said.
Aina described the initiative as part of efforts to eliminate administrative difficulties affecting students and graduates.
He also disclosed that candidates who had lost access to their registered email addresses or telephone numbers could now update their details. Thus, they would regain access to JAMB services.
However, he warned universities against admitting students outside the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS). He noted that such admissions could create documentation problems after graduation.
JAMB considers changes to UTME
Beyond resolving NIN discrepancies, Aina revealed that JAMB was considering introducing critical-thinking and life-skills assessments into the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
He explained that the proposed reform would help universities evaluate candidates beyond conventional academic performance.
According to him, the initiative could allow institutions to consider applicants who demonstrate strong practical abilities and reasoning skills. This could be possible even when their UTME scores fall slightly below established cut-off marks.
“We should be able to find institutions that will say our cut-off for this course is 200, but we will take 190 if you score over 80 per cent in the critical-thinking and life-skills component of the examination,” he said.
Aina disclosed that a committee had been established to examine how the proposed assessments could be incorporated into UTME.
He maintained that the changes would require cooperation between JAMB and tertiary institutions to ensure fairness and effectiveness.
JAMB warns universities over irregular admissions
The registrar also expressed concern about students admitted outside the approved central admissions system.
He said some affected graduates had completed their studies but remained unrecognised in JAMB’s records. This created difficulties with documentation and national service.
“The responsibility entrusted to you is a big one. It is not just one person that you tell to go away and come back; it is a life that can be destroyed by the work that you do,” he warned.
Aina urged university administrators to ensure that admissions were properly documented to prevent students from encountering problems after graduation.
Earlier, Ichoku congratulated the registrar on his appointment and pledged Veritas University’s cooperation with JAMB.
The vice-chancellor also informed him about the forthcoming Pan-African University Debating Championship. This event is being hosted by the university with the endorsement of the Federal Ministry of Education.
Aina reaffirmed his commitment to using technology to improve JAMB’s operations and reduce avoidable challenges facing Nigerian students and graduates.
