The University of Abuja (UniAbuja) has denied offering illegal admissions as alleged by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
In a statement to TheCable Lifestyle 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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