The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has suspended the use of the National Identification Number (NIN) as part of the requirements for the registration of the 2020 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE) application documents.
The Registrar, JAMB, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, at a press briefing jointly addressed by the Director-General, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr. Aliyu Aziz, on Saturday, 11th January, 2020, at the Board’s National Headquarters in Bwari, Abuja, said the suspension of the exercise would give all parties enough time to address perceived inadequacies before 2021 UTME.
The Registrar said the adoption of NIN, in the first instance, was in compliance with statutory provisions prompting the Board to make it a prerequisite for the 2020 UTME/DE, as well as its alignment with its desire to eliminate, once and for all, all issues relating to identity theft
and multiple registrations, among others.
He noted that, in spite of the suspension, the partnership has been very productive and rewarding as it has exposed the Board to new ways of doing things. Prof. Oloyede advised candidates to disregard the use of NIN for the 2020 registration and strictly comply with
other processes for the registration, adding that JAMB would consider the use of NIN for the 2021 UTME/DE registration.
He said, “Consequently, candidates desirous of taking the 2020 UTME/DE are to
only send their [Surname, first – name, middle – name (if applicable) to 55019 to create their profile.”
The Registrar stated that the Board would consolidate on the various gains from the interface with the Commission, which, according to him, have positioned the Board, even more than ever before to identify and apprehend perpetrators of examination infractions as well as
enhance its capacity to eliminate impersonation, multiple registration and other unwholesome practices.
He vowed that the Board would not relent in the fight against examination syndicates and cartels who are determined to sabotage the nation’s quest for excellence.
Prof. Oloyede urged all ad-hoc staff desirous of participating in the 2020 UTME to enroll with NIMC before they would be eligible for participation in the conduct of the examination.
While fielding questions on the power of the Board to suspend the usage, the Registrar said, “The suspension was the prerogative of the NIMC which is entrusted with the responsibility of identity management.
As such, the Commission decides what should be done and it has done so in accordance with relevant provisions in their law.”
In his remarks, the Director General, NIMC, Engr. Aliyu Aziz, said the purpose of the collaboration was to eliminate registration infractions and other unethical acts. He said, “The main thrust of Government in mandating NIN is to provide proof of legal identity in the
form of unique digital ID to enable access to service, rights and protections. Any good ID system must have linkages with functional ID systems, hence the need for partnership with public and private sector organisations including JAMB.”
Continuing, he said, “ Our collaboration with JAMB is in alignment with Government policy
on NIN. He, however, acknowledged that it was the upsurge in demand for NIN within the limited centres and available facilities that has occasioned a review as well as a rethink hence the shift in the commencement date of use of NIN as a prerequisite for UTME/DE Registration.”
“This suspension is to give intending applicants more time to obtain the NIN, roll out more registration centres and equipment nationwide under the digital identity ecosystem and provide identity authentication services anytime, anywhere. We appeal to the general public to ensure that they register and obtain their NIN within this timeline to avoid any future rush for NIN.”
