In a recent development, the House of Representatives has urged the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to lift the three-year ban imposed on Miss Ejikeme Mmesoma, a candidate for the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). The ban was imposed following allegations of result manipulation. In response, the House has set up an ad hoc committee to investigate the matter and examine the claims of manipulation and falsification of results.
The decision to lift the ban and launch an investigation was reached during a plenary session where members of the House expressed concern over the allegations and sought to address the issue promptly. The committee, chaired by Sada Soli, will not only investigate the specific case of Miss Ejikeme Mmesoma but also examine the overall conduct of JAMB examinations and the existence of special examination centers across the country.
Miss Ejikeme Mmesoma, a candidate from Anglican Girls Secondary School in Nnewi, Anambra State, had initially scored 362 in the UTME. However, on July 2, 2023, JAMB’s Head of Public Affairs and Protocol, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, publicly accused her of manipulating her result, claiming that she actually scored 249. Miss Ejikeme Mmesoma defended herself, stating that she printed the result from the JAMB portal and had consistently performed well in previous examinations.
During the plenary, Awaji-Inombek D. Abiante presented a motion calling for an investigation into the alleged manipulation of the UTME by JAMB. He emphasized the need to establish the facts and ensure fairness to the candidate. The House unanimously agreed that the ban on Miss Ejikeme Mmesoma should be lifted pending the outcome of the investigation.
Additionally, the House emphasized the importance of ensuring the security and authenticity of examination results issued by JAMB. The committee will examine the allegations, scrutinize JAMB facilities, and propose measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. Independent examiners will also be engaged to assess the candidate’s scripts and ascertain her actual score in the UTME.
The House of Representatives’ intervention in the case of Miss Ejikeme Mmesoma highlights the importance of transparency and fairness in the education sector. The decision to lift the ban and conduct an investigation demonstrates the commitment of the House to uphold the integrity of the examination process. It is hoped that the investigation will provide clarity and bring about necessary improvements in the conduct of JAMB examinations.
Miss Ejikeme Mmesoma, in her response, confirmed that she had seen a score of 249 in the text message she received from JAMB. She called for understanding and stressed that she should not be solely blamed for any mix-up. She expressed disappointment with the three-year ban imposed on her, asserting that it was not her fault.
As the ad hoc committee carries out its investigation, the House of Representatives remains dedicated to ensuring fairness and integrity in the examination system. The outcome of this investigation will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for JAMB’s operations and the future of examination processes in Nigeria.
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