ADMISSION TO TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN NIGERIA: THE PROCEDURE

The need for the general public to be conversant with the process and procedure for admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria is critical given the many erroneous impressions being circulated in public space.

There are few commentators who understand and misconstrue certain admission criteria as evidence of lack of equity on the part of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

One of such critics is the highly- respected Governor of Kaduna State who incidentally is an ardent supporter of quality education and by extension the board.

His Excellency, the Governor of Kaduna State, is one of the Governors, who has in the last five years, rendered significant material support to the Board, nevertheless, clarification is necessary.

Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, the Kaduna State Governor recently accused the Board of tilting the admission process in favour of Northern States for the mere facts according to him that, Educationally the Less Developed States are given underserved special consideration in the admission process. The fact is that it is the proprietor of each institution in Nigeria that determines the criteria for admission into their respective institutions subject to the law, States are neither determined by JAMB policies of the government and international nor limited to the States in the Northern treaties to which Nigeria subscribes. part of Nigeria.

Additionally, the Senate or the Academic Besides, prima-facie qualification for Board of each institution set the admission into tertiary institution minimum standard acceptable to it and anywhere in the world including Nigeria no institution is expected or persuaded to is not the Unified Tertiary Matriculation recommend for approval of JAMB any Examination score, rather it is the candidate below the standard set by the secondary school certificate(SSC) with the institution. five C grades as stipulated by global

Furthermore, each institution aspires to conventions such as the Arusha (Recently be as inclusive as possible. Equity, access, renamed the Addis Ababa Convention). quality and funding are essential features There is no controversy as the acceptance of higher education all over the world. is C6, the least available in the 'C' Minimum standards are set and within the category. such standards, every world-class No admission policy in Nigeria lowers the university prides itself with as much international stipulated tertiary plurality as possible. education admission criteria for Affirmative action in the admission candidates from any part of Nigeria. It is process is an international feature. What is also a known fact that federal character Nigeria refers to as federal character principles is rightly enshrined in the principle is similar to what others present Nigerian Constitution and until such areas equal opportunity, affirmative or abrogated they remained the correct inclusive actions. position of the law.

Moreover, Educationally Less Developed The Joint Admissions and Matriculation
Board only ensures that subject to the minimum criteria set by each institution, the admission process is as inclusive as possible.

For the avoidance of doubt, the admission criteria put in place for federal tertiary institutions, except for a minor amendment about fifteen years ago, have remained the same. That is (a) Merit 45% (b) Catchment States (Generally, the closest States around every federal government tertiary institution) 35%, and (c) Educationally Less Developed States 20%.

Institutions established by State Governments, including that of Kaduna State, stipulate criteria which generally include, statewide-spread of admitted candidates.

It is, therefore, not advisable to make merit the sole criterion of admission into tertiary institutions and no State Government in Nigeria has, so far, stipulated such a policy for any of its higher institutions.