JAMB Blacklists 48 CBT Centres, Suspends 24

By Dipo Olowookere

Not less than 48 Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres across the country have been blacklisted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for organised examination malpractices during the 2017 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) held last month.

Registrar of JAMB, Prof Is-haq Oloyede, told journalists at a press briefing on Wednesday in Abuja that the 48 centres were also involved in extortion.

He said the affected centres would not be able to partake in any examination organised by JAMB.

“The delisting of 48 centres from participating in the board’s examination in future is as a result of serious technical deficiencies, extortion, organised examination malpractices and other damaging infractions,” Prof Oloyede told newsmen.

The JAMB boss also disclosed that apart from the 48 CBT centres delisted, another 24 CBT centres have been suspended for one year for failing to be above board.

“The (24 CBT) centres will not participate in the 2018 UTME, but they can be reconsidered for 2019 and above,” he stated.

After an enlarged meeting with external examiners and other stakeholders in the conduct of the 2017 UTME, the JAMB Registrar announced that July 1, 2017 has been fixed for supplementary examination for candidates who registered late for this year’s UTME.

He explained that during the rescheduled exam, candidates whose centres were involved in mass malpractices but were deemed innocent would be allowed for the retake.