Direct Entry candidates have condemned the decision of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board’s Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, to deny individuals with name changes admission to further their studies.
Change of name is a formal process in which an individual changes their identity in newspapers while ensuring that all previous documents with the previous details stay valid.
Adeniyi Adeyemi-Reuben, formerly Segbe Adeyemi Reuben, sought a name change in April 2017, according to documents provided on Wednesday.
He said, “I can’t register for JAMB simply because I did a change of surname after my first degree. Even those with maiden names who did change of surname because of marriage can’t register. I met about three of them at JAMB office in Lagos and even saw one who complained at JAMB headquarters in Abuja.”
Explaining further, Segbe disclosed, “Yet, JAMB is not doing anything about it despite my formal complaint.
Is JAMB saying it’s wrong to change your name in this country even if you have a genuine reason for it? JAMB is claiming people use fake certificates. I can prove beyond reasonable doubt that my certificates are genuine. My second degree, my NIN, tax clearance, Nigerian passport, and working ID card all have the new name. Why is it now wrong for me to register for another course through direct entry?”
Investigations across the Board’s social media sites, as well as applicants’ posts, revealed widespread dissatisfaction with the problems they have faced.
On X, formerly Twitter JAMB, on its account @JAMBHQ on May 10, a Twitter user, Chinwe Okafor @pradrech1, expressed her inability to register.
“Please I’ve already purchased DE pin but cannot proceed with registration due to my change of name by marriage. Kindly assist me. Thanks,” she said.
Also, Uche Oyeka @OyekaUche added.
“I have the same issue, I was instructed to go do another change of name back to my median name (NIN). Please @JAMBHQ we really need clarification on this. I haven’t been able to register and registration is ending today.”
The Spokesman for JAMB, Fabian Benjamin, noted that he was unaware of the difficulty of Direct Entry candidates to register especially those with change of name.
Benjamin said, “I’m not aware.”
Asked if there are things JAMB would do to rectify the cases, Benjamin said, “I said I’m not aware, how will I know something that is being done to when I said I’m not aware? Will I be providing solution to something am not aware of? Candidates are registering for our examination I’m not aware of any other thing. If you sent your details and they are not tallying I don’t know what you want me to do.”
“If your name is Benjamin and you are bringing document bearing another name then you are not the candidate certainly you will not be registered. If you have graduated from ABU for instance and your name is Austin and all of a sudden you are coming with John Bosco how are we going to register you, what happened that you are changing your name in between, you must prove to us, we must understand why the name change.
“Most of the time you collect someone’s certificate and you want to legalise it through us, their schools should identify them,” Benjamin added.