The Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB) Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, has expressed fears that the best candidates and the runner-up in the 2019 UTME might not secure admission in 2019 window.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB), on Saturday, revealed that 15 year old Ezenala Ekene Franklin, from Imo state, is the best candidate for the 2019 UTME with 347 points and University of Lagos (UniLag) as first choice institution.
16 year old Igbam Emmanuel Chidiebube, from Abia state, followed closely with 346 points and also UniLag as first choice of institution, while Olowu Isaac Olamilekan from Osun state, scored 345 points to place third with Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) as choice of institution.
JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, who announced the names in Abuja, however, expressed fears that the best candidates and the runner-up might not secure admission in 2019 window if they failed to quickly change their choice of institution.
He said both candidates chose UniLag, “but unfortunately, UniLag does not admit candidates below the age of 18. UniLag sees them as underage candidates. The UniLag Senate took that decision years ago and they still maintain it. JAMB has no power to compel them to change their decision.”
The JAMB Registrar said: “The candidates might not be aware of the law but that is not an excuse. They should quickly make some changes, particularly in institution of choice, so they could stand a better chance of securing admission.”
Oloyede said other candidates that had outstanding performance in the 2019 UTME include 16 year old Odo Kingsley Obinna from Enugu state who scored 344 points, with University of Nigeria (UNN) as first choice institution.
He said 18 year old Olisakwe David Chukwuebuka from Imo state and 16 year old Okezie Emmanuel from Abia state, scored 343 points each, while Okeke Franklin Ikechukwu, from Anambra state scored 342.
Professor Oloyede also announced that 18 year old Shuaibu Abdullahi Maje, from Yobe state scored 342 points to occupy the eight position on the table.
He thanked everyone involved in the conduct of the examination and urged those bent on discrediting the effort of the Board to desist from such acts.
