JAMB 2020: NIN is not possible this year, use another means - Reps tell Jamb

The House of Representatives has urged the Joint Admissions & Matriculation Board (JAMB) to halt the National Identification Number (NIN) in line with the 2020 examination process.

Following a motion moved by Rep. Zainab Gimba (APC-Borno) under Matters of Urgent Public Importance at plenary presided over by the Speaker of the House, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila on Wednesday.

On moving the motion Gimba, explained that the compulsory use of prospective candidates‘ data with the NIMC database would facilitate the data capture of candidates for JAMB.

She said added that the process would curb incidences of multiple registrations and other forms of malpractices perpetrated in the UTME process.

The lawmaker, however, expressed concern that many prospective candidates from remote locations in the country might not be able to register for the UTME due to non-registration with NIMC.

She also expressed concern that the notice is given by JAMB “is too sudden and not sufficient to allow all prospective UTME candidates to be captured by NIMC.

NIMC disclosed earlier this year that less than 20 percent of Nigerians were captured in the NIMC’s database.

Though there has been a massive response of Nigerians to be captured by the NIMC, most have been hindered by infrastructural challenges like poor internet network, power failure/no power supply.

They also complained and of inadequate manpower or equipment to attend to them.

The House has raised concerns that younger Nigerians and minors constitute the larger number of those yet to be captured by the NIMC mainly due to the prior registration criteria which captured persons aged 18 and above only.

JAMB needs to establish a better collaboration with the NIMC, state and local governments  for efficient and less-stressful registration of prospective candidates.”