FG Orders JAMB To Send Candidates’ Biometrics To Institutions Of Choice

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The Federal Government has directed the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to send candidates’ biometrics to their institutions of choice.

The JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, said the directive was issued through the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, on Friday in Abuja.

According to Oloyede, the Federal Government is taking it upon itself to identify theft in the admission process, adding that the new directive would end fresh capturing of biometrics and pictures of candidates for post-UTME tests.

He said that the new directive had already uncovered 657 cases of candidates whose photographs could not match the ones recorded in JAMB’s database but were currently angling to change the photographs.

According to him, the board had subsequently referred those who requested for change of photographs to come down to its headquarters.

“In previous admission exercises, certain candidates who appear in the institution for registration were different from those who actually sat the examination.

“This was possible because the institutions were taking fresh pictures and biometrics, thereby making it possible for impersonators to have a field day to ply their trade.

“In the last exercise, we insisted, as directed by the Minister of Education, that all institutions should use the already captured biometrics and pictures by the Board.

“This made it impossible for the candidates whose examinations were taken on their behalf by professional examination takers to gain admissions,” he said.

He added that the new directive led to the arrest of one Etim Israel, a Police Constable, who was paraded before newsmen on allegation of examination malpractice.

“Etim hired a school teacher named Emmanuel and paid him N30,000 to write the 2020 UTME for him, while he was away on official duties.

JAMB

“Luck, however, ran out on him when his photograph could not tally with Emmanuel’s and was forced to visit the JAMB headquarters in Abuja for rectification.

“He scored over 200 points in UTME and wanted to read fishery at the Akwa Ibom State University, Ikot Akpaden Mpat Enin.

“But the new measures in place will not let him dare show his face in his chosen institution as it is the picture of his impersonator that was displayed at the screening venue,” he added.

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