In a bid to ensure that all candidates interested in applying for the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) are given equal opportunity to do so, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has extended the registration deadline by one week.

The initial closing date for the sale of ePINs and the UTME application documents was slated for Tuesday, 14th February, 2023, however, JAMB has decided to extend the deadline to Wednesday, 22nd February, 2023. The sale of ePINs, on the other hand, will end on Monday, 20th February, 2023.

JAMB has projected to register up to a hundred thousand candidates per day, but the number of candidates registering fell short of this capacity, with less than fifty thousand candidates turning up for registration daily.

However, in the last two days before the closing date, the pace picked up remarkably with over a hundred thousand candidates registering on a daily basis.

Taking note of reports from across the country indicating difficulties faced by many Nigerians in using electronic channels to purchase the ePINs or obtain cash within the stipulated period, JAMB has granted the extension to ensure that all candidates who desire to register for the 2023 UTME are given the opportunity to do so, especially since the extant challenges are not of their own making.

As at the close of the sale of ePINs on Tuesday, 14th February, 2023, 1,527,068 candidates had registered for the 2023 UTME exercise, including the 168,748 who indicated their interest to take the Mock-UTME.

With the extension, more candidates will be able to register and have a chance at gaining admission into their preferred tertiary institutions.

In a commendable move towards promoting education and supporting less-privileged students in Kogi State, the Nigerians Unite for Tinubu/Shettima (NUFTS) has recently procured about 1,200 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for students in the three senatorial districts of the state.

Through its “RTA JAMB Support” initiative, NUFTS aimed to alleviate the financial burden faced by students who aspire to pursue higher education but lack the necessary resources to do so.

The group has distributed the JAMB forms, which will assist less-privileged students in gaining admission into higher institutions in the state.

The RTA Coordinator for Yagba West Local Government Area, who is also a member of NUFTS, expressed appreciation to Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, the Honorable Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), for supporting the initiative.

The coordinator noted that the JAMB forms were timely, considering the economic challenges faced by many families in the state.

NUFTS has called on well-meaning individuals and organizations to support the initiative and contribute to the development of education in Kogi State and Nigeria as a whole.

The procurement and distribution of JAMB forms by NUFTS are considered as a laudable initiative that will help promote education and reduce the financial burden faced by less-privileged students in Kogi State.

The forms were distributed as follows: 400 forms for students in Kogi West senatorial district, 400 for students in Kogi East, and 400 forms for students in Kogi Central senatorial district. This will provide an opportunity for students from all districts to benefit from the initiative.

Education is a fundamental right that should be accessible to all individuals, regardless of their socio-economic status. Initiatives like the “RTA JAMB Support” by NUFTS are crucial to promoting education and supporting less-privileged students in Kogi State. It is hoped that more individuals and organizations will emulate this gesture and contribute to the development of education in the state and the country at large.

As the general elections draw closer, the Federal Government has announced that all Nigerian universities and inter-university centres will be closed between February 22, 2023 and March 14, 2023.

Investors King recalls that the National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) had earlier demanded the closure of schools for students to vote in the forthcoming elections as some already registered at home during the last prolonged Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike.

In a circular signed by the Deputy Executive Secretary, Administration, National Universities Commission (NUC), Mr Chris Maiyaki, dated February 3, Universities were directed to suspend academic activities for three weeks.

The NUC circular was sent to all Vice-Chancellors of universities and directors/chief executives of inter-university centres on the directive of the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu.

This decision, according to the federal government was to ensure the security of staff, students and properties of the academic institutions.

The notice titled– ‘Ministerial directive on the closure of all universities and inter-university centres during the upcoming 2023 general elections,’ urged all universities to comply with the vacation directive during the election period.

It read, “As Vice-Chancellors of all Universities and Directors Chief Executives of Inter-University Centres you are quite aware, the 2023 General Elections have been scheduled to hold on Saturday, 25th of February 2023, for the Presidential and National Assembly, and Saturday, 11th of March 2023 for Gubernatorial and State Assembly, respectively. 

“In view of the foregoing and concerns expressed on the security of staff, students and properties of our respective institutions, the Honourable Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu has following extensive consultations with the relevant security agencies, directed that all Universities and Inter-University Centres be shut down and academic activities be suspended between 22nd February and 14th March 2023. 

“Consequently, Vice-Chancellors, as well as Directors/Chief Executives of inter-university centres, are by this Circular requested to shut down their respective Institutions from Wednesday 22″ February 2023 to Tuesday 14″ March 2023.”

The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi had earlier called for the closure of tertiary institutions to allow over three million registered students exercise their franchise during the forthcoming elections.