By Veronica Dariya
Bwari (Abuja), Feb. 7, 2022
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has announced the adoption of an additional code, 66019 to its already existing 55019 code for registration.
The board disclosed this in its Weekly Bulletin of the Office of the Registrar, obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.
JAMB said that it adopted the 66019 as an optional USSD code to its 55019 code, which had been operational since 2018, for Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and its other services.
“This is to facilitate a hitch-free 2022 UTME/ Direct Entry (DE) exercise, by ensuring that there was no difficulty whatsoever, in creation of profiles by candidates.
“In essence, both codes are to be used to create profile for the registration by candidates sitting for the 2022/23 examination.
“Candidates are expected to send their NIN, via either of the codes for their details to be pulled out from the NIMC database before they proceed to any accredited centre for biometric capturing,” JAMB said.
The board further explained that the effort was earlier planned to eliminate all bottlenecks associated with the creation of profiles.
Similarly, JAMB said that it had also introduced the use of a WhatsApp platform, as an additional support and complaint platform for clients.
The board also said that the platform was also part of measures to effectively attend to diverse needs of candidates and its other clients alike.
“With the platform, candidates and other stakeholders would have the benefit of instant messaging and solutions to whatever query they might have regarding any of the operations of the board.
“The platform is not meant to replace, but complement the existing ticketing system, thereby expanding access to critical services among others,” JAMB said.
JAMB also says it plans to introduce self-service registration outlets in Abuja and Lagos to leverage the digital competence of its computer-savvy candidates.
JAMB also disclosed this in its Weekly Bulletin from the Office of the Registrar, on Monday in Abuja.
It said that the system is expected to reduce crowds at its accredited Computer-Based Tests (CBT) Centres in both cities.
The idea, the board explained, is to advance the digital competence of candidates who can do the registration on their own.
It added that it is also to expand the registration access points, in line with the extant federal government’s COVID-19 protocols.
The board expressed confidence that the service provider, Bankfort, had assured of the immense potential of the seamless registration mode.
JAMB equally stated that it is set to incur not less than N50 million as added commission to its financial vendors.
This followed the introduction of its cashless regime in its 2022 registration exercise.
The bulletin quoted the Registrar of the board, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, as saying that the additional financial burden was the price the board is prepared to pay.
This, Oloyede stated, followed the board’s concern with the plight of Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), and Direct Entry (DE) candidates in the hands of shylock CBT centre owners.
He said: “The measure would put a stop to other sharp practices that usually follow the payment of direct service charges for registration at these centres.”
He also added that candidates are expected to purchase an e-PIN for N3,500 as subsidized by the federal government, N500 compulsory reading text and a N700 regulated charge for CBT centres.
“All the purchases cost N4,700 as candidates are expected to now pay the regulated N700 charge for CBT centres along with the cost for e-PIN.
“The board would later transmit all accrued entitlements to respective CBT centres on a weekly basis or any timeframe agreeable to respective centres, to curtail all noticeable infractions.”
Oloyede also stated that, while the board now spearheads the collection of the N700 service charge on behalf of the centres, it would be taking on an additional responsibility of N25 commission.
He said that the N25 commission amounted to over N50 million in 2021.
Oloyede, however, urged all financial institutions to be involved in the UTME/DE registration to live up to expectation.
According to him, the vendors would be held responsible for any act of misdemeanor or infraction committed by their agents.
