BREAKING NEWS: JAMB to Extend 2024 UTME Registration by 2 Weeks

In response to the challenging economic conditions faced by many families, the House of Representatives has urged the Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) to extend the registration period for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) by two weeks. The decision was reached during a plenary session on Thursday, following a motion moved by Bello Shinkafi.

The motion, which gained unanimous support, emphasized the need for JAMB to comply with the extension and mandated the relevant Committee on Education and Legislative Compliance to ensure strict adherence to the decision.

JAMB, established by law to oversee the registration and conduct of UTME for admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria, had initially set the registration deadline for the 2024 UTME on February 26th. However, concerns were raised about the limited time frame given the prevailing economic challenges, which have impacted many families’ ability to register their wards for the examination.

Bello Shinkafi, the lawmaker who moved the motion, highlighted the economic hardships faced by families, stating, “We are all aware of the painful economic situation prevailing in the country. As a result, many families have been constrained from registering their wards by this timeline.”

Expressing his concern, Shinkafi noted that without an extension, a significant number of candidates would be unable to register and participate in the UTME. This, he argued, would result in a lack of broad coverage and participation in this year’s examination across Nigeria.

Shinkafi further emphasized the importance of the extension, stating, “Convinced that your quick response to the extension of time by two weeks will encourage the parents of these candidates to persistently register their children. Importantly, this will reassure the public of the confidence in this current administration in Nigeria.”

In response to the motion, the House of Representatives has resolved to mandate JAMB to extend the registration period for two weeks. This move aims to provide an opportunity for potential candidates facing economic constraints to register for the 2024 UTME, ensuring a more inclusive and comprehensive participation in the examination.