JAMB: Over 5,000 Students with 300+ Denied Admission in Five Years
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disclosed that between 2019 and 2023, a staggering number of 5,658 candidates who scored 300 or higher in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) were unable to secure admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria. These statistics highlight a systemic issue within Nigeria’s higher education system, where academic excellence does not always guarantee admission due to various factors limiting available slots in tertiary institutions.
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In a recent revelation by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), it has been disclosed that between 2019 and 2023, a staggering number of 5,658 candidates who scored 300 or higher in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) were unable to secure admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
The data provided by JAMB paints a concerning picture of the challenges faced by high-scoring candidates in gaining admission to universities and colleges. The statistics show that in 2018, out of 4,683 candidates who scored 300 and above, only 3,683 candidates were admitted, leaving 1,000 candidates disappointed.
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In subsequent years, the trend continued:
- In 2019, 2,967 candidates scored 300 and above, with 2,288 gaining admission and 679 denied admission.
- In 2020, 4,948 candidates achieved scores of 300 and above, leading to 3,492 admissions and 1,456 denials.
- 715 candidates scored 300 and above in 2021, out of which 590 were admitted, while 125 were denied admission, including 35 applicants for Medicine.
- 2022 saw 5,833 candidates scoring 300 and above, with 3,708 gaining admission and 2,125 failing to secure admission.
- The most recent data from 2023 showed 5,261 high scorers, among whom 3,988 were admitted, leaving 1,273 candidates without admission.
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These statistics highlight a systemic issue within Nigeria’s higher education system, where academic excellence does not always guarantee admission due to various factors limiting available slots in tertiary institutions.
According to JAMB, various reasons contribute to the denial of admission to high-scoring candidates, including wrong O’Level subject combinations, low post-UTME screening scores, non-acceptance of admission offers, duplication of applications, absence from post-UTME screenings, and mismatch of catchment areas.
