JAMB vs Mmesoma: Controversy erupts over allegedly forged results

 

The controversy sparked by Ejikeme Mmesoma's Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, result has once again called the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, into question.

While some have accused Mmesoma of falsification in accordance with JAMB's position, many others disagree. They feel that a perceived defective process in the board's administration of its operations should be probed.

JAMB, founded on February 13, 1978, by then-President Olusegun Obasanjo, plays a critical role in managing admissions to Nigerian postsecondary institutions.

JAMB used Computer-Based Test (CBT) in 2013 to modernize the test process and combat misconduct.

Despite these attempts, the board has been involved in a number of issues.

One of the most infamous incidences occurred in February 2018, when a JAMB officer reported that a snake had swallowed N36 million at its Makurdi, Benue State, office.

The test board administrator made the claims after some money from scratch card sales unexpectedly vanished from the board's headquarters.

Nigerians were skeptical and mocked by the daring tale of a snake taking the money.

The affair, according to critics, reflected larger issues of financial mismanagement and accountability inside government entities.

Another big incident was Adedibu Ojerinde, the former Registrar of JAMB, who was arrested for allegedly misusing N5 billion in public funds.

In addition, between 2010 and 2016, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) initiated an inquiry into an alleged N8.7 billion scam inside JAMB.

Several people, including zonal leaders and state coordinators, have been charged and are awaiting trial.

JAMB has also faced problems with result falsification and extortion.

Two JAMB employees were arrested in 2021 for extorting money from aspirants in exchange for university admissions.

In 2023, JAMB made headlines again when it accused a candidate, Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma, of manipulating her UTME score in order to falsely claim the top scorer position.

In a statement, JAMB accused Mmesoma, of Anambra State, of manually inflating her UTME score from 249 to 362, hence presenting herself as the top 2023 UTME scorer.

The incident has raised worries about the examination process's integrity.

Abbas Abbas, a lawyer, stressed that JAMB must conduct thorough investigations, apply disciplinary sanctions, and establish tight systems to protect funds and the integrity of the admission process.

"Once regarded as a symbol of hope for Nigerian students seeking tertiary education, JAMB has been deeply affected by the various scandals,"