After the protest that occoured at the University of Lagos over the institution’s decision to increase its cut off mark to 250, the Joint Admission And Matriculation Board (JAMB) has come out to say schools have the right to do so if they wish. It should be recalled that about a week ago, JAMB officially reduced the cut of mark of admission in to universities from 200 to 180 and also reduced polytechnics and colleges of education cut off mark from 180 to 150.

Unilag however shocked candidates seeking admission into the university by fixing its cut off mark at 250 thereby sparking protest in the university by candidates and parents. Premium Times however reports that Fabian Benjamin, the spokesman of JAMB declared that universities have the prerogative to increase their cut off mark above the stipulation of that of the academic governing body. He explained that Unilag was interested in getting the best candidates and could therefore increase the admission mark as a way of doing that. “If the University of Lagos has over 25,000 students applying and they have a carrying capacity of less than 7,000 and has over 15,000 candidates that scored over 250, why will they take less than 250. It simply means the university is trying to see how they can get the best,” He added that it shouldn’t come as a shock if universities decide to increase their cut off marks to 300 but said JAMB would not take marks that are lesser than the stipulated ones.

 Meanwhile, the National Association of Nigerian Student has kicked against a policy adopted by JAMB to re-assign candidates

The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board has announced 180 as the admission cut-off score for degree programmes, and 150 for national certificate in education, national diploma and national innovation diplomas. The permanent secretary, Ministry of Education, McJohn Nwaoibala, announced the cut off after a vote by representatives of all institutions requiring JAMB scores at a combined policy meeting in the Abuja office of JAMB.