Nahimat Adekoga
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) says that eligible candidates for its 2017 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) can now purchase the pin for registration using the Remita mode. The board said on Sunday the development came on the heels of the reported challenges the candidates faced in an attempt to acquire the pins from NIPOST and the designated banks.
The Head of Information of JAMB, Dr Fabian Benjamin in a statement said the board had noted the many headaches of prospective candidates from various parts of the country, including Lagos.
According to him, candidates had lamented the difficulties involved in obtaining the pins from designated banks on the payment of N5,500 and the subsequent hassles in getting registered.
Benjamin urged candidates not to panic as every eligible candidate desirous of registering will do so before the closing date of April 19.
“We appreciate the fact that the sales of the UTME for 2017 which is hitherto set to last for six has been reduced to one month.
“This was done in the interest of the candidates as it was to ensure that the challenges candidates are going through are resolved. To further cushion the effect of these challenges, we have decided to bring the Remita mode on board. Candidates can now purchase the pin for registration from the comfort of their homes.
“So, aside the banks and NIPOST, candidates can now purchase the pins through Remita,’’ Benjamin said in the statement.
The statement explained why the board banned cyber cafes from registering candidates for the examination, noting that activities in the cafes damaged records and statistics of candidates.
According to the statement, most problems associated with candidates’ registration such as wrong spellings of names, wrongful placement of passport photograph and others emanates from the business centres at registration points.
He explained that examination is a serious business and it cannot be left open the way some people want it to be.
“We again urge Nigerians particularly anxious candidates not to fall prey to unsuspecting and dubious individuals who parade themselves as agents of JAMB with the intention to defraud them.
“The board’s e-brochures and syllabus are on the CD to be given out to candidates and it is free and available as a guide to candidates to have a hitch-free registration exercise,’’ the statement said.
