Expressing dissatisfaction with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s (JAMB) decision to withhold information regarding the top scorers in the recently released 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results, Chief Chukwuma Nwachukwu, an Abuja-based lawyer, has invoked the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) against the examination body.
In a letter addressed to JAMB, Nwachukwu requested the names and scores of the top 10 candidates in the 2024 UTME within seven days, citing provisions of the FOI Act. He argued that while JAMB provided a breakdown of candidate performance on April 29, it was unjustifiable to withhold specific information about the top performers.
The letter, citing Section 1 of the FOI Act, emphasized the right of individuals to access information held by public institutions, without the need to demonstrate specific interest. Nwachukwu reminded JAMB of the Act’s provision for instituting legal proceedings to compel compliance with information requests and requested timely response to his inquiry.
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JAMB had previously disclosed that only a fraction of candidates scored above 200 out of a total of 1,904,189 candidates who sat for the exam. With 1,402,490 candidates scoring below 200 and 64,624 results withheld, the Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, highlighted ongoing investigations into alleged misconduct and procedural issues among candidates.
Additionally, Oloyede noted a significant increase in female enrollment and a 36.2% rise in enrollment among Persons Living With Disabilities (PLWDs), reflecting efforts to improve access to education for underrepresented groups.
The petition underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in educational assessment processes, urging JAMB to adhere to legal mandates regarding information disclosure.
