The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has warned tertiary institutions against irregularities in the admission process, particularly the practice of bypassing higher-ranked candidates in favour of lower-ranked ones.

The Board has accordingly directed the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and other institutions involved in such irregularities to reverse such admissions immediately.

JAMB, in its Weekly Bulletin obtained in Abuja, insisted that no candidate with a higher ranking should be displaced by a lower-ranked candidate in the admission process.

The Board explained that the admission process operates on a three-tier policy of Merit, Catchment Area and Educationally Less Developed States (ELDS), adding that each tier is guided strictly by ranking (merit), such that candidates with higher rankings must be selected first, followed by others in descending order.

JAMB, however, dismissed a recent allegation by a candidate who claimed to have scored highly but was not admitted by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, saying its investigation revealed that the candidate was not disadvantaged in any way because there were others with higher rankings than the candidate.

“The attention of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has been drawn to the conduct of admissions by some tertiary institutions where higher-ranked candidates are reportedly being bypassed in favour of lower-ranked candidates.

“The Board has cautioned the affected institutions and directed the immediate reversal of such irregular admissions.

“Notwithstanding these reversals, JAMB reiterates its call on all institutions to strictly adhere to the established guidelines governing the selection and admission of candidates.

“The admission process operates on a three-tier policy of Merit, Catchment Area and Educationally Less Developed States (ELDS). Each tier is guided strictly by ranking (merit), such that candidates with higher rankings must be selected first, followed by others in descending order.

“Any situation in which a better-ranked candidate is skipped for a lower-ranked candidate under any of these categories will not be tolerated by the Board.

“However, the Board has dismissed a recent allegation promoted by certain individuals who habitually instigate candidates to raise unfounded issues for personal gain.

“Upon investigation, the candidate cited in the allegation, who was claimed to have scored highly but was not admitted by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), was found not to have been disadvantaged, as several higher-ranked candidates were ahead of her on the admission list.

“Consequently, her non-admission was in line with due process, as she did not rank high enough to be within the selected limit.

“While the Board observed instances where some better-ranked candidates were indeed skipped and has ordered the reversal of those admissions, the said candidate was not affected by such irregularities.

“JAMB remains resolute in ensuring that no candidate with a higher ranking is displaced by a lower-ranked candidate in the admission process.

“The Board therefore advises candidates to refrain from allowing themselves to be used by individuals seeking attention or followership on social media through baseless allegations.

“Candidates are urged to verify claims of admission irregularities through appropriate and official channels before lending credence to or promoting such allegations,” JAMB stated. (TRIBUNE)