Approximately 604 direct entry candidates might lose their university admission due to failed verification from 82 certificate-awarding institutions. According to investigations by The Guardian, of the 607 Advanced Level (A’level) certificates submitted by JAMB to these institutions for confirmation, only three have responded, leaving the fate of 604 candidates in limbo.

JAMB introduced the verification process to tackle the issue of forged certificates submitted by direct entry applicants. The JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, stated that the verification aims to prevent candidates from using fake certificates to gain admission.

Prof. Oloyede revealed that in the 2023 verification exercise, out of the 44,866 candidates who applied for DE or converted from UTME, 1,957 were disclaimed by the institutions.

The 82 institutions with pending verifications include: Federal University of Technology, Akure (15), University of Nigeria, Nsukka (48), Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, Zaria (61), National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Abuja (13), Federal University of Technology, Owerri (12), Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti (53), Cross River State College of Education, Akamkpa (91), College of Education (Technical), Lafiagi (18), and College of Education, Waka-Biu, Borno State (20).

Other institutions include Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State (three), Oduduwa University, Osun State (two), The Polytechnic, Adoka, Benue State (seven), Redeemers University, Osun State (three), Kogi State College of Education (Technical), Kabba (seven), and the Lagos State College of Health Technology, Yaba (one), among others.

Previously, candidates without a diploma or other requirements for direct entry were required to sit for the UTME to gain university admission, while direct entry applicants with the necessary credentials could register without taking exams. JAMB introduced this new policy to curb the malpractices identified with direct entry applications. A’levels are advanced post-secondary education results used by admission seekers to skip UTME and post-UTME exams and secure admission into second-year university programs.

Justifying the "no verification, no admission" policy, Oloyede noted that in the past, JAMB would ask institutions to screen and verify candidates’ credentials, but recent findings have revealed significant fraud. For instance, at Bayero University, Kano (BUK), only six out of 148 direct entry certificates were genuine.

Oloyede explained that this discovery prompted JAMB to convene a meeting of stakeholders to address the issue. Proposed measures included creating an A’level result verification task force and a common platform for result and certificate verification.

Investigations by The Guardian also revealed that JAMB has reduced A’level and diploma admissions from 30% to 10% to minimize the number of admission seekers avoiding the UTME. Oloyede confirmed this, emphasizing that the education system should not be compromised by institutions offering dubious diploma certificates.

Candidates expressed frustration over delays in verifying their results. Ekene Erondu, a direct entry applicant from the Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State, which has four outstanding certificates, called for his institution to verify his credentials promptly. He expressed ongoing dissatisfaction with the lack of progress.

Frederick Ezeh, from the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Vom, Plateau State, blamed bureaucratic delays for the verification issues. Ezeh, whose institution has 24 unverified certificates, described the situation as disheartening and a hindrance to his educational goals.

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) criticized tertiary institutions for not promptly verifying the results sent by JAMB. NANS president, Lucky Emonefe, accused universities of hindering the verification process meant to clean up the educational system.

Similarly, the civil society organization Education Rights Campaign called for transparency from JAMB. National Mobilization Officer, Adaramoye Lenin, emphasized the need for JAMB to be open and clear in its efforts to address the issue of fake A’level certificates.