Okeke’s admission mess: JAMB refuses to back down

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued a strong rebuttal to what it describes as “malicious falsehoods” circulating on social media regarding the case of Chinedu Okeke, a candidate embroiled in controversy over alleged irregularities in his university admissions.

In a statement released on Tuesday, JAMB clarified that no issues concerning Okeke had been resolved, dismissing claims to the contrary as attempts to exploit the Board’s platform for attention and sectional politics.

JAMB expressed alarm at the spread of misinformation, stating, “We are alarmed by the lengths to which some individuals will go to gain attention on social media. Does character mean nothing to people anymore?”

The Board emphasized its role as a statutory body tasked with regulating admissions into Nigeria’s tertiary institutions, not a political entity subject to manipulation.

“This will be the last time we will be reacting to this type of falsehood,” JAMB declared, signaling its intent to focus on its mandate rather than engaging with what it called baseless narratives.

The controversy centres on Okeke, who reportedly claimed Lagos as his state of origin in his 2021 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) application and Anambra in 2025, raising questions about the consistency of his declarations.

Additionally, JAMB noted that Okeke had not provided a satisfactory explanation regarding his claim of no longer being a medical student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).

The Board highlighted its commitment to curbing multiple admissions in a limited quota system, stating, “A candidate cannot be running two programmes concurrently where others struggle to secure one.”

JAMB reiterated its dedication to transparency, asserting that it does not “sweep issues under the rug.”

The Board’s mandate includes ensuring fairness in admissions by preventing practices such as multiple enrollments, which undermine equitable access to tertiary education in Nigeria.

“We won’t sit idly by while some individuals use our platform to play sectional politics as well as draw social media traffic,” the statement added, underscoring JAMB’s resolve to maintain integrity in its processes.

The Board’s statement comes amid growing concerns about misinformation on social media platforms, with JAMB warning that it will not allow its reputation to be exploited.

While the statement did not specify further actions against Okeke, it reaffirmed JAMB’s commitment to investigating the matter thoroughly and upholding its regulatory standards.

The public is urged to rely on official communications from JAMB for accurate information and to disregard unverified claims circulating online.