According to the examination authority, out of the 379,000 candidates impacted by technical failures in Lagos and the five South-East states, 336,845 participated in the exam, while 21,082 did not show up.
In a statement released on Sunday, JAMB’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin, mentioned that the board has given another chance to those who were absent by allowing them to take part in the annual mop-up exam, which is yet to be fixed.
“This waiver is also extended to the candidates who, for whatever reason, missed the initial main UTME,” the statement added.
The board revealed that numerous offenders had been apprehended, identifying over 3,000 candidates as either collaborators in or beneficiaries of exam malpractice.
JAMB further stated, “Despite the ongoing inquiries, performance analysis remains consistent (between 11% in 2013 and 34% in 2016) with results from the past twelve years.”
“While this situation is unfortunate, it has also revealed numerous alarming practices perpetrated by candidates, certain proprietors of schools/Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres, which have exacerbated examination irregularities,” the board explained.
The announcement of the results followed a meeting convened by JAMB with its Chief External Examiners (CEEs) across the country to assess the resit exam’s outcome.
It went on to say that after evaluating the report and holding lengthy discussions, a subcommittee led by the Vice-Chancellor of the National Open University, Prof. Olufemi Peters, who is also the CEE for the FCT, was set up to verify that the results were accurate. The CEEs also assessed the conduct of the exam and agreed that a psychometrics expert, Prof. Boniface Nworgu, should be brought in to review and validate the results before they were released.
The board stated, “As part of the healing process, the meeting also resolved that the withheld results of underage candidates (except where litigation is involved), who performed below established standards, be released.”
“Such results, however, do not qualify them for admission, as they had previously signed an undertaking during the registration process acknowledging that only those who meet the prescribed standards would be considered for under-aged special admission.”
Another key outcome from the meeting, as noted by the board, was the approval to release the results of candidates linked to “WhatsApp Runs” and similar violations.
“This category of candidates was found to have been involved in illicit solicitation of assistance. The meeting emphasised that its decision is not an endorsement of candidates’ unacceptable acts, but rather a once-and-for-all waiver. Candidates were thus advised to refrain from joining questionable WhatsApp and other anti-social groups,” it explained.
JAMB reported that the meeting strongly criticized certain CBT centres for engaging in serious misconduct during registration and the examination itself and resolved that all those centres be banned while their owners be brought to justice.
“In addition, the identified individuals who directly registered the candidates with modified pictures and biometrics should be apprehended and prosecuted,” it said.
Concerning the role of tutorial centres, the board remarked, “The meeting observed with great concern the role of some tutorial centres in the perpetration of examination malpractices. It urged governments at all levels to take appropriate steps to ensure that operators of tutorial centres are properly regulated, licensed, and constantly monitored. This is to curtail the initiation of candidates into the path of dishonesty.”
The meeting acknowledged the major role Computer-Based Testing has played in curbing examination malpractice and aiding the country’s shift to a digital environment. It observed that, “Despite some shortcomings, CBT remains the viable option for ensuring a malpractice-free examination process.”
It also appreciated the thorough and structured approach adopted by the Board when accrediting CBT centres through committees led by CEEs in various states.
“However, it was advised that a reputable firm of management consultants be engaged to advise on improving the process of accrediting CBT centres, registration procedures, and other critical operational stages,” the board added.
JAMB mentioned that the meeting “expressed regret at attempts by some groups to exploit the unfortunate incident to disseminate tribal and sectional narratives.”
“The unfortunate incident is not targeted at any section of the country, nor was it caused by any particular group. It was emphasised that such narratives risk exacerbating existing divisions within society and even within the JAMB workforce,” it warned.
As stated in the release, the meeting praised the Registrar and JAMB management for their competent and honest approach in handling the regrettable situation and encouraged them to remain firm and resolute.
