Senate Initiates Probe into Alleged Admission Racketeering at University of Nigeria, Nsukka Following JAMB Accusations
The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), is under scrutiny for alleged admission racketeering, triggering a Senate investigation initiated by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). The accusations involve UNN allegedly admitting students beyond quotas and manipulating rankings, raising broader concerns about the integrity of university admission processes.
Mary Nwaeze 
The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), faces allegations of admission racketeering as the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) prompts a Senate investigation. Senator Onyeka Nwebonyi's motion expressing concerns about admission irregularities, particularly the case of Chinyere Ekwe at UNN, led to the Senate's decision to probe alleged admission malpractices in Nigerian universities last week.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio stressed the importance of a fair hearing, emphasizing JAMB's standing as a reputable institution. Speaking during JAMB's Customer Service Week in Abuja, Registrar Prof. Ishaq Oloyede commended the Senate for providing an opportunity to defend the examination body.
Ekwe, who scored 291 in the 2019 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), initially applied to study Medicine and Surgery at UNN. However, the university purportedly collaborated with JAMB officials to switch her course to Medical Laboratory after ranking 241 in the medical program's applicant list.
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Oloyede disclosed that UNN admitted students beyond the approved quota in Medical Laboratory, with illegally admitted applicants scoring higher than Ekwe. Despite these allegations, the affected candidate reportedly did not receive an official approval letter from JAMB for either Medicine or Medical Laboratory.
The Registrar revealed that JAMB's Central Admission Processing System (CAPS) flagged issues with Ekwe's admission due to her distant ranking. Oloyede emphasized the university's failure to adhere to proper procedures, including disregarding allocated quotas and ranking orders.
"We welcome the wise counsel of the Senate President that the matter be investigated. We will cooperate with the Senate," assured Oloyede, expressing confidence in JAMB's vindication and underscoring the board's commitment to ensuring equity in the admission process.
The accusations against UNN raise concerns about the integrity of admission processes in Nigerian universities, prompting a comprehensive investigation. The outcome of the Senate probe is eagerly awaited to ascertain the veracity of the claims and determine whether corrective measures are necessary to maintain the credibility of university admissions nationwide.
