By Jimmy Jackson
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has requested Higher National Diploma (HND) graduates not be held accountable for their inability to participate in the current National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
According to JAMB, its mandate does not cover admission for HND hence cannot be held responsible for their inability to participate in the national scheme.
Its reaction came following claims by the prospective NYSC candidates that it was responsible for their inability to participate in the mandatory one-year NYSC scheme.
Mr. Fabian Benjamin the spokesperson for Jamb said, “It is important to emphasized that JAMB has no involvement, authority, or control over the admissions process for HND candidates.
“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. “
