Education

JAMB Pegs UMTE Cut-Off Mark At 180

Published

13 years ago

June 19, 2013

The Federal Government has reduced the cut-off marks for gaining admission into Federal Polytechnics and Colleges of Education for the 2013/2014 academic session, the Minister of Education, Prof Ruqayat Ruf’ai has said.

Speaking at the end of a policy meeting with administrators of tertiary institutions in Abuja, yesterday, the minister announced 150 as cut-off mark for students seeking admission into polytechnics and colleges of education.

For universities, the cut-off point is 180.

Justifying the reduction, Prof Ruf’ai said it was aimed at encouraging students to seek admission into polytechnics and colleges of education.

The policy meeting called to determine the cut-off marks was attended by the Vice Chancellors, Registrars and Administrators of Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education as well as the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board.

The Tide gathered that outcome of the examination for entry into Nigerian universities for the 2012/2013 academic session is abysmal, at least so shows the result released by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board.

Out of the 1,503,931 candidates that sat for the examination, only about 72,400 scored 200 and above out of the 400 marks available.

Most Nigerian universities peg the cut off for their courses at 200.

The results, announced last Friday in Abuja by the Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, showed that only three candidates scored over 300 marks in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.

Nine hundred and one candidates were said to have scored above 270 marks while 72,243 had 250 marks.

Only 151 candidates scored between 200 and 249 marks.

Though the analysis showed that 1,048,314 candidates passed the examination, this is based on the premise that the universities will, generally, accept 180 as the cut off mark for admission.

However, most universities demand a score of over 250 for their key courses in the sciences and law.

About 366,330 candidates scored belowe 169, while 374,920 candidates scored between 170 and 199.

On malpractices, Rivers State, like it happened in the National Examinations Council results for the senior school certificate examination released on Thursday, topped the list of states that erred.

Out of the 1,503,931 candidates that sat for the examination, the results of 1,384,644 were released while 5,161 were declared invalid.

Results from 24 centres in Rivers State were withheld.

Lagos came second in this category with the results from 11 centres withheld.

Imo, Benue, Cross River, Delta and Nasarawa States also had plaques in this category, with the results of six, three, two, two and one centres seized.

On the number of candidates that sat for the examination and the schools they applied to, Ojerinde said Imo State had the highest number of applicants, which he put at 123,865.

Delta, Anambra, Osun, Oyo and Ogun States followed with 88,876, 84,204, 73,935, 71,272 and 71,173.

The lowest enrolment came from Jigawa, Kebbi, Yobe, Zamfara, Sokoto and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja that had 11,529, 7,364, 6,389, 5,713, 5,664 and 3,380.

There were 833,082 male candidates and 660,522 female candidates that sat for the examination.

The University of Lagos recorded the highest number of requests for admission with 83,865 candidates.

Others are the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, 82,148; University of Benin, 80,048; University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 79, 398, University of Ilorin, 76,276; Obafemi Awolowo University, 64,702; Ahmadu Bello University, 56,708; University of Port Harcourt, 48,439; University of Uyo, 44,397; Imo State University, 43,353; and University of Ibadan, 40,011.

Education

Chief Judge Pledges inmate’s academic Sponsorship

Published

21 hours ago

March 9, 2026

The Tide

The Chief Judge of Niger State, Justice Halima Ibrahim Abdulmalik, has taken full responsibility for the education of a teenage inmate, Gabriel Sillas, currently serving a jail term at the Minna Correctional Centre, pledging to sponsor him up to university level.

She made the gesture during her annual working visit to correctional facilities across the state, aimed at decongesting custodial centres and reviewing inmates’ cases.

Sillas, who was described by officials as one of the most obedient inmates at the facility, reportedly earned the sympathy of the Chief Judge

Justice Abdulmalik, visibly moved by the teenager’s disposition during her visit to the Minna Children’s Remand Home, described his situation as a product of avoidable circumstances and lack of adequate parental support.

“The circumstances that brought him here could have been avoided if he had good support from his mother. I can see talent in him. With proper support, he will be useful to society. I cannot allow him to waste his life at this age,”she said.

She therefore announced that she would personally sponsor his education from now through university, stressing that the young inmate deserves a second chance to harness his potential.

“I will sponsor his education up to university level. He needs support to put his talent to proper use,” she added emotionally, reaffirming her commitment to ensuring he builds a better future.

Sillas was sentenced to three years imprisonment alongside Isah Tanimu for criminal trespass, mischief and theft, offences that contravene Sections 228, 327 and 348 of the Penal Code Law.

In a further act of clemency, Justice Abdulmalik granted pardon to Isah Tanimu and pledged to assist with part of the fine options attached to their conviction.

Beyond individual interventions, the Chief Judge also donated ?500,000 to the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre to support the upgrade of its skills acquisition centre, reinforcing her commitment to rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates.

Her visit underscored the judiciary’s growing emphasis on correctional reform, rehabilitation and the belief that, with timely support, even those who stumble can still rise to become productive members of society.

Education

Federal University Dutse Expels 20 Students, Rusticates 15 Over Exam Malpractice

Published

21 hours ago

March 9, 2026

The Tide

The Senate of Federal University Dutse in Jigawa State has approved the expulsion of 20 students and the rustication of 15 others for their involvement in examination malpractice.

The decision was announced in a statement issued on Wednesday by Abdullahi Yahaya-Bello, the university’s director of public affairs. According to him, the disciplinary action followed the recommendations of the senate committee on examination misconduct for the second semester of the 2024/2025 academic session.

Yahaya-Bello explained that the senate also cleared two students of wrongdoing after investigations, while three others were issued written warnings.

He noted that the penalties were imposed in line with the university’s regulations governing offences and punishments for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. Those affected, he added, were drawn from different faculties and departments within the institution.

The development comes amid a wave of disciplinary actions across Nigerian universities over academic misconduct.

In February, the University of Abuja expelled 28 students for various offences, including alleged examination malpractice, cultism, and falsification of academic results. The decision followed the consideration of a report by the university’s student disciplinary committee during a senate meeting.

Similarly, the University of Calabar recently suspended nine students over allegations of examination malpractice and result forgery after deliberations at its 252nd senate meeting.

University authorities across the country have continued to warn that strict disciplinary measures will be enforced against students found guilty of academic misconduct in order to maintain the integrity of the educational system.

Education

FG Needs Assessment Committee Visits Bonny Poly

Published

21 hours ago

March 9, 2026

The Tide

A high-powered assessment committee from the Federal Ministry of Education Abuja on Wednesday visited the Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas, Bonny in Bonny local government area of Rivers state, as part of a needs assessment for 2026 exercise to the institution

The team, led by Prince Dr. Murtab Aliyu S.,a Director with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), include Mr. Mohammed Yusha’u, Mr. Lawani F. Jimoh of ASUP, and June, Patience G. from the Ministry.

The visit is aimed to identify gaps between the institution’s current and desired states, guiding strategic decisions and resource allocation.

According to a statement by

Reported by Anthony Ogbe , SAR/Public Relations Officer of the polytechnics and made available to tide said

the committee’s findings will inform targeted interventions and support from the Federal Government to enhance the polytechnic’s infrastructure, academic programs, and overall development.

“The institution is known for academic excellence and collaborative engagements, making it a sought-after partner for development initiatives. The polytechnic has been making strides in oil and gas education, producing graduates who are highly sought after by industries.”

The needs assessment committee’s visit is expected to further boost the institution’s growth and development.

The statement also quoted as saying that the team later interacted with various stakeholders, including staff and students, to get firsthand information on the institution’s needs.

The committee expressed satisfaction with the polytechnic’s progress and assured the Management of the Federal Government’s support and commended Dr. Okolobah’s leadership and the institution’s commitment to academic excellence

The visit underscores the polytechnic’s commitment to growth and development. The institution is poised to leverage this opportunity to address its needs and further enhance its academic programs.

The statement averred that the Management of the Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas, Bonny, led by Dr. Victor Okolobah, received the committee and briefed them on the institution’s strengths, challenges, and stakeholder needs.

He further stated that Dr. Okolobah’s leadership has fostered strong relationships with key agencies, benefiting the polytechnic , adding that

the institution is known for academic excellence and collaborative engagements, making it a sought-after partner for development initiatives.

“The polytechnic has been making strides in oil and gas education, producing graduates who are highly sought after by industries.”

“The Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas, Bonny, has been making waves in academic circles, and this visit is expected to further boost its reputation. With purposeful leadership and strategic partnerships, the institution is set to achieve greater heights.

“

“The institution’s success is attributed to its strong leadership, dedicated staff, and commitment to academic excellence. As it continues to grow and develop, the polytechnic remains committed to producing skilled graduates who can contribute to Nigeria’s development.”

By: Akujobi Amadi