The Senate resolved on Wednesday to address the allegations of admission racketeering in Nigerian universities.
This move comes after a motion titled “Urgent Need to Curtail the Practice of Undisclosed Admissions and Other Unwholesome Practices by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board” was sponsored by Senator Onyeka Nwebonyi, who represents Ebonyi North.
Nwebonyi revealed that some dishonest university staff, in collaboration with JAMB officials, are engaged in trading admission slots in Nigerian universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and other higher institutions.
He also alleged that authorities in these institutions are involved in the unwholesome practice of selling admission into highly sought-after courses like Medicine, Surgery, Pharmacy, Law, Engineering, and Nursing Science, often at the expense of students who have legitimately earned admission.
Nwebonyi explained, “The travails of Miss Chinyere Ekwe and 290 others, who were admitted to study Medicine and Surgery at the University of Nigeria Nsukka but had their admissions abruptly terminated on JAMB’s order, despite completing the admission processes and starting classes.”
Miss Ekwe, who scored 291 in the 2019 UTME and 300 in the university’s post UTME, had fulfilled the requirements for her chosen course and was officially admitted.
However, she was later transferred to the Department of Medical Laboratory Science with no clear admission status back to Medicine and Surgery, even after surpassing the 4.5 cumulative grade point threshold.
Senator Nwebonyi expressed concern that such provisional admission practices are exploited to exploit and frustrate talented young Nigerians, particularly those from ordinary backgrounds who seek admission into Nigerian universities.
In response to the motion, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, stressed the importance of a fair hearing for all parties involved.
He urged caution in addressing the issue, stating, “We are shaving the head of a man behind his back. The University of Nigeria has a decades-long respected reputation, and JAMB is also well-regarded. We should be cautious in discussing and particularizing this issue, as it may cast doubt on the integrity of the certificates from the University of Nigeria, which has given birth to many institutions.”
Akpabio called for a comprehensive investigation, suggesting that the Minister of Education should be invited to ascertain if such practices occur in other tertiary institutions.
He emphasized the importance of correcting any wrongdoings uncovered.
The Senate has assigned its Committees on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND, as well as Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions to investigate the allegations of admission fraud.
