The University of Abuja (UniAbuja) has denied offering
illegal admissions as alleged by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board
(JAMB).
In a statement by Habib Yakoob, the
varsity’s spokesman, UniAbuja also tackled the exam body, stating that it lacks
the constitutional powers to interfere in the admission process of new students
into universities.
JAMB had recently listed the institution among those
violating provisions of its central admissions processing system (CAPS)
introduced to ensure transparency in the admission process.
The board had also maintained that admissions not approved on its CAPS are null and void.
But according to Yakoob, the institution has upheld
transparency in its admission process over the years while complying with
JAMB’s provision on CAPS.
“The University of Abuja has been constrained to respond to
recent reports in the media that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board,
JAMB, has named the university, among others (curiously unmentioned), as being
engaged in ‘illegal admissions’ exercise because it failed to upload the list
of its admission on Central Admissions Processing System, CAPS,” the statement
read.
“The University of Abuja wishes to categorically and
emphatically state that it has not conducted any illegal admissions, and has
nothing to hide as far as its admission is concerned.
“It makes bold to state that, at the moment, the university
has one of the best and most transparent systems of admission in the country.
“This, indeed, is the only federal university which
catchment area is the whole of Nigeria, and truly and practically admits from
all states of the country, while simultaneously upholding the principle of
merit and excellence.
“Our rules are clear and transparent. As long as candidates
have taken the UTME, scored 180 and above, met the university’s cut off points
and some other stringent criteria set by JAMB, the university ensures, within
the limit of its capacity, that such candidates stand a chance of getting
admitted.
“In other words, nobody who has not taken the UTME, nor
failed to meet JAMB or university guidelines, can be admitted in the University
of Abuja.
“In any case, the university is familiar with the operation
of CAPS, and has since, largely embraced it as part of its contributions to ensuring
that the university system serves and protects the interest of all Nigerians in
the search for quality tertiary education.
“For instance, the Merit List for the 2020/2021 admissions
was proposed on CAPS and all queries issued on same were replied to
accordingly.
“It is important to note that candidates have been directed
to ensure that they upload their “O” Level results and accept their offer of
admission on CAPS. This is the clearest proof that the university is not
opposed to or in violation of CAPS and what it represents.”
The statement added that the varsity has the legal backing
to regulate its own admission process without the interference of any external
body.
“However, the
university is careful that in following this operation, it is not hindered to
effectively deliver the service for which it was created, in the first place,”
it added.
“After all, it is not outside the powers of the university
to conduct admissions of our students. The Universities Miscellaneous
Provisions, (Amendment) Act 2003 7a (ii) states that ‘The Senate shall have
powers in all academic matters including the organization and control, teaching
and research, admission of students…
“What this means is that the university, not any external
body, is guaranteed the power of admissions.
“Let us assure JAMB, candidates and relevant stakeholders in
the Nigerian educational project that the University of Abuja is engaged in
honest, transparent and open admissions in all its various programmes, and
certainly, it will continue to uphold these virtues which have been its
defining hallmark, especially in the last couple of years.”
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