Babatunji Wusu –
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has addressed allegations from Higher National Diploma (HND) graduates blaming the board for their exclusion from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
In a statement released on Monday, JAMB’s spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, clarified that the board is not involved in the admissions process for HND programs and should not be held responsible for NYSC mobilization issues related to HND graduates.
The statement comes in response to claims from some graduates who alleged that their NYSC mobilization was affected because they completed their Ordinary National Diploma (OND) through part-time study, even though their HND was pursued full-time.
JAMB emphasized that its legal responsibilities, as specified in Section 5(2) of the law establishing the board, are limited to overseeing undergraduate admissions, including those for National Diploma and Nigerian Certificate in Education programs. The board does not manage or influence admissions for HND programs.
The statement read: “The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board wishes to clarify its position regarding recent claims made by some HND graduates who are incorrectly blaming JAMB for their inability to participate in the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). JAMB has no involvement, authority, or control over the admissions process for HND candidates.
“The candidates claimed they did their HND full-time but were not mobilized because they did their OND part-time. JAMB’s mandate, as outlined in Section 5(2) of its founding law, is to determine matriculation requirements and conduct examinations for undergraduate admissions and National Diploma and Nigerian Certificate in Education courses. The Board has no role in HND admissions or NYSC mobilization.
“Furthermore, many of these students were admitted to their National Diploma (ND) programs without JAMB’s involvement. The Board only endorsed these admissions, which is its only interaction with these candidates. The subsequent HND admissions are beyond JAMB’s scope and thus irrelevant to its mandate.
“Accusations against JAMB regarding these matters are unfounded. Some of the claims made have crossed legal boundaries, which the Board will address appropriately. The public is urged to disregard these baseless accusations, as JAMB has no jurisdiction over them.”
