JAMB under fire over failure to release names of top UTME scorers

Chukwuma Nwachukwu, an attorney based in Abuja, has officially lodged a request under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, urging the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to disclose the identities and scores of the top ten achievers in the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). This initiative stems from JAMB’s recent decision to withhold specific details regarding its highest performers.

IDOMA VOICE has reported that Nwachukwu’s move aims to ensure transparency, as he invokes the FOI Act’s provisions, which guarantee public access to information held by governmental entities. In his formal demand, Nwachukwu has stipulated a seven-day deadline for JAMB to comply.

Emphasizing the importance of transparency, Nwachukwu contends that JAMB’s reluctance to divulge the top performers’ details contradicts the spirit of openness, especially since a comprehensive breakdown of overall exam results was already released on April 29.

In his communication, Nwachukwu specifically directs his request to Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, the Registrar of JAMB, seeking details such as “The names and scores of the 10 best students and their respective performances in the above examination.”

Citing Section 1 of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, Nwachukwu’s letter asserts the unconditioned right of any individual to access or request information, irrespective of specific interest in the data sought. He warns of potential legal consequences if JAMB fails to comply, underlining the mandatory nature of responding to FOI requests.

Furthermore, Nwachukwu expresses his readiness to cover any associated fees related to the request.

This legal maneuver coincides with JAMB’s revelations regarding a significant proportion of candidates scoring below the average mark, with over 73.7% of the 1,904,189 participants achieving less than 200 points. Additionally, JAMB has disclosed that the results of 64,624 candidates are withheld pending further investigation.

Moreover, JAMB has noted a notable 36.2% increase in enrollment among Persons Living With Disabilities (PLWDs), reflecting a diverse spectrum of participation in this year’s UTME.