The Academic Staff Union of Universities has stated that the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board has no right to conduct admission into higher institutions across the country. 

ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke noted that JAMB’s move to handle higher institutions admission was an encroachment into University autonomy.

Osodeke who described JAMB as an examination body and clearinghouse for admission into tertiary institutions, also pointed out that JAMB was created by an Act of the National Assembly in 1978 and is responsible for the conduct of matriculation examinations for admission into a tertiary institution in Nigeria, appointment of examiners and collection/dissemination of information on all matters relating to entrance examinations.

According to him, it is the responsibility of each university senate to superintend over all academic matters in the university. These include setting the admission requirements and approval of university undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.

The statement read; 

“The autonomy of universities is under increasing threat by the meddlesome activities of JAMB in admission processes and regulation of academic activities in the Nigerian University System. JAMB was created by an Act of the National Assembly in 1978 and is responsible for the conduct of matriculation examinations for admission into a tertiary institution in Nigeria, appointment of examiners and collection/dissemination of information on all matters relating to entrance examinations. It is the prerogative and responsibility of each university senate to superintend over all academic matters in the university. These include setting the admission requirements and approval of university undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.

“Giving admission to candidates is the duty of senate, while regulation or accreditation of programmers is the prerogative of National Universities Commission. However, it is a matter of regret that JAMB is operating outside its jurisdiction of collecting and disseminating information on matters relating to admissions from respective institutions based on senate recommendations. “We call upon JAMB to desist from overstepping its original mandate and allow Universities to decide on admission policies and processes.”