JAMB: Elimination Of National Cut-Off Mark, A Disservice To Excellence – OAU Prof

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Across Nigeria Thursday, September 30th, 2021

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – Prof. Akin Alao has kicked against the recent cancellation of national admission cut-off mark, by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

Alao, a professor of History at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), described the action as “a disservice to excellence and to quality education.”

He made the remark while delivering a lecture during the closing event of a quarterly in-house symposium organised by the Law Corridor Chamber in Abuja.

African Examiner recalls that JAMB had, on Aug. 31, announced the cancellation of the national cut-off mark at the 2021 policy meeting, which was held virtually, and chaired by the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu.

According to Alao, a country must have standard and this standard must be maintained overtime, especially in such professions as law, medicine and other specialised ones.

“The removal of the national cut-off mark will open the door to so many other vices because we have a mushroom of universities now and we believe that many of these universities are not committed to quality but they are set up as enterprises.

“Any opportunity to move these universities forward in terms of the number of students, and in terms of the amount of money that they will make, will be exploited by those who are not committed to excellence.

“And that is why it is possible for these new mushroom universities to open their doors to admit just anybody to read law and other specialised courses since there is no national cut-off mark.

“This will affect the quality of these professions. It will hamper excellence. it will not give us the best and it will not be in the best interest of these professions,” he said.