Who Gives Admission, JAMB or School?

When it comes to understanding who grants admission into universities and other tertiary institutions in Nigeria, it can be a bit confusing. Many prospective students ask the question: “Who gives admission, JAMB or school?” This article clarifies the roles of both JAMB (Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board) and individual institutions in the admission process.

What is JAMB?

JAMB is the body responsible for conducting the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), a standardized exam that all students must take to gain admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions. It regulates the admission process by ensuring that all prospective students meet the basic academic requirements. But does JAMB actually give admission?

JAMB’s Role in Admissions

JAMB’s role is crucial, but it does not independently grant admission. Here’s what JAMB does in the process:

• Facilitates the Examination: JAMB conducts the UTME every year, and the results from this exam are used by tertiary institutions to screen potential candidates.
• Sets Cut-off Marks: After the UTME, JAMB sets the minimum cut-off mark that institutions must follow when admitting students. This varies by course and institution.
• Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS): JAMB introduced CAPS to streamline the admission process. Through CAPS, JAMB ensures that the admissions granted by universities or polytechnics align with set regulations. Institutions upload their lists of candidates who meet their requirements, and JAMB verifies this before admission is finalized.

What Role Do Schools Play?

Now that we’ve established what JAMB does, let’s look at the role that universities and other institutions play in giving admission:

• Post-UTME and Screening: After students pass the UTME, most universities conduct a Post-UTME examination or a screening process. This further narrows down the pool of eligible candidates. Each school decides on its screening criteria, which may include physical examinations, interviews, or academic record evaluations.
• Selection Process: Universities select candidates based on their Post-UTME performance, JAMB scores, and O’level results. Each institution has specific criteria for each course or department.
• Submission of Admission List: Once the school selects its candidates, it submits the list to JAMB for verification. JAMB then uploads the list on CAPS for approval.

Who Ultimately Grants Admission?

So, who gives admission, JAMB or the school? The answer is both. Here’s how the system works:

1. Schools recommend candidates for admission based on their criteria and performance in both UTME and Post-UTME.
2. JAMB approves the list submitted by the schools through CAPS. If a candidate is selected by a university but does not meet JAMB’s requirements, the admission will not be approved.

In summary, schools decide who gets admitted, but JAMB validates the admission to ensure it follows national guidelines and meets the required standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can JAMB give admission without a school’s input?
No, JAMB does not grant admission on its own. It is the responsibility of the school to recommend students for admission. JAMB only validates the admission process through CAPS.

2. What is the role of CAPS in admission?
CAPS (Central Admissions Processing System) is JAMB’s platform that monitors the admission process to ensure transparency. Schools upload their list of selected candidates, and JAMB uses CAPS to confirm that the admission complies with the required criteria.

3. Can a student be admitted if JAMB doesn’t approve the admission?
No, the final admission is not valid unless JAMB approves it through the CAPS system. Without JAMB’s approval, even if a school selects a candidate, the admission will be void.

4. What happens after JAMB approves admission?
Once JAMB approves the admission, candidates can log in to the CAPS portal to either accept or reject the offer. If the offer is accepted, the candidate can then proceed to the institution for further registration.

5. Do all schools conduct Post-UTME?
Not all schools conduct Post-UTME exams. Some institutions opt for screening based on UTME scores and O’level results, while others still conduct written exams after UTME.

In conclusion, both JAMB and schools play significant roles in granting admission. Schools determine which students to admit based on their internal screening processes, while JAMB ensures that those students meet national admission standards through the CAPS system. Without cooperation from both parties, no admission process can be completed.