JAMB Increases International Presence, Conducts UME Exam In UK

By Agha Ibiam*

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has completed its unified tertiary matriculation examination for prospective undergraduates in Nigerian universities for the 2024/25 University Matriculation Examination (UME) in the United Kingdom.

JAMB conducted the online examination last weekend at the Nigeria High Commission, Northumberland Avenue, London, and no less than 20 candidates sat for the examination.

Senator Dandutse Muntari Mohammed, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, who represents the Katsina South constituency, told journalists shortly after the examination that it was a huge success.

“We are here to witness JAMB’s examination of Nigerian candidates living in the United Kingdom. This is to demonstrate that Nigeria is making efforts rather than wasting resources by sending their children to other countries for education, as there are many Nigerians in the UK who are determined to travel to Nigeria and study in Nigerian institutions.

“That is why the examination is held in approximately nine countries around the world. We can have a prosperous country instead of wasting resources on foreign exchange, especially since the exchange rate is skyrocketing daily and the global economy is deteriorating.

“To succeed, we must look within ourselves. The examinations are being written today in South Africa, Cameroon, Benin, and Saudi Arabia.”

Hon. Mohammed stated that as lawmakers, they ensure that parents and students have the opportunity to send their children to Nigerian universities through the establishment of the TETFund, which is available to Nigerian students.

He stated that one per cent of the total TETFund revenue is generated internally, so Nigeria could become dependent on internal educational sector integration.

“The provision of security in our schools is critical to our education. The governing councils, vice-chancellors, and the ministry of education, in collaboration with lawmakers, are working to improve security in the country, particularly for students.

“There are also coordinated efforts by the country’s security agents to end banditry and criminality.

The National Security Adviser is working hard to ensure that all security agencies collaborate and engage herders and other elements in dialogue and reconciliation to ensure the country’s peace and prosperity.

“Cultism is a widespread problem, and we must educate parents on how to engage their children responsibly to prevent them from joining peer groups and engaging in nefarious activities. We are enacting laws to combat these anti-social behaviours in the country, such as cultism, Yahoo-Yahoo boys, illicit drug abuse, and the rest of the country’s immoral and indisciplined behaviours.

Speaking about the newly introduced student loan scheme, Hon. Mohammed stated that any student who qualifies and is admitted to the university is eligible to apply for the student loan.

“On our part, we will ensure that a large number of students benefit from the funds because there is a lot of intervention and resources coming in to ensure that students benefit from the loan and that their upkeep is guaranteed because of the country’s economic situation, which is very timely and important.

“We are grateful that the majority of these students believe they must return to their home country to study. There is hope and goodwill for parents who want or encourage their children to study in the country.

“By next year, wherever we have our embassy, foreign missions will participate in this because there are Nigerians all over the world. If a Nigerian parent can afford to send their children to study abroad, they can invest that money in the country, which will undoubtedly help the country’s development,” the legislator stated.

Others who witnessed the examination included JAMB’s Director of Information and Technology Service, Mr. Fabian Okoro; NUC Liaison Officer, Alhaji Yusuf Kankia; and Nigeria’s Head of Consulate, Education, and Welfare, Mr. Christian Nduka Okeke.