JAMB Reacts To HND Graduates’ NYSC Eligibility Issues

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has responded to allegations from Higher National Diploma (HND) graduates claiming the board is responsible for their inability to participate in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

Naija News reports that JAMB clarified that it has no role in the admissions process for HND candidates and should not be blamed for issues related to their NYSC participation.

In a statement released on Monday by JAMB’s spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, the board emphasized that its mandate does not extend to the management of admissions for HND programs.

The statement further addressed claims made by some graduates who alleged that they were not mobilized for the NYSC because they completed their Ordinary National Diploma (OND) through part-time study, despite having pursued their HND on a full-time basis.

JAMB dismissed these claims, pointing out that the board’s legal mandate, as outlined in Section 5(2) of the law establishing JAMB, is limited to determining matriculation requirements and conducting examinations for undergraduate admissions, as well as admissions to National Diploma and Nigerian Certificate in Education programs.

The statement reads: “The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board wishes to clarify its position regarding recent claims made by some HND graduates who are falsely castigating JAMB for their inability to participate in the mandatory one-year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). It is important to emphasize that JAMB has no involvement, authority, or control over the admissions process for HND candidates.

“The candidates claimed they did HND on full-time but were not mobilised because they did OND on part-time. How on earth does that concern JAMB when Section 5(2) of the law that established JAMB states that.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Board shall be responsible for determining matriculation requirements and conducting examinations leading to undergraduate admissions, as well as for admissions to National Diploma and Nigerian Certificate in Education courses. However, the Board shall not be responsible for examinations or any other selective processes for postgraduate courses or any other courses offered by tertiary institutions.

“Most of the students were reported to have been admitted into their institution for National Diploma (ND) without the knowledge of the Board. With this, the Board graciously condoned and endorsed the said admission for ND programme and that was the only relationship with such candidates.

“Their subsequent admission to HND is unknown and irrelevant to the mandate of the Board. As such, accusing the Board of issues it has no mandate is preposterous.

“Some of these candidates have crossed the lines of criminality which the Board will soon appropriately address.

“The public is urged to disregard the accusations labelled against the Board as it has no mandate on such matter.”