Only NUC can approve courses for Varsities

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has said only the National Universities Commission is empowered by law to approve programmes for the nation’s universities.

This clarification was sequel to misgivings over an earlier announcement of plans by JAMB to conduct supplementary admissions into recently approved programmes for the University of Agriculture, Makurdi.

Spokesperson for the JAMB Registrar, Prof. ’Dibu Ojerinde, Mr. Timothy Oyedeji made the clarification in Abuja, on Friday.

He said, “What the JAMB Registrar said in Makurdi was that JAMB would immediately begin the process of ensuring that qualified candidates are offered admission to the five newly approved courses thus increasing the carrying capacity of the institutions.

“We did not approve these courses, we don’t have the powers to do so. Ours is to conduct tests and examinations to determine those suitable to be admitted. These courses have been approved by NUC which is the statutory body which enjoys such powers.This clarification became necessary to avoid any misgivings.”

Oyedeji noted that JAMB and the NUC enjoyed a cordial working relationship which was based on mutual respect and understanding.

The five new courses approved for admissions at Uni-Agric Makurdi are in the College of Management. They are: B.Sc. Marketing and Co-operatives; Accounting; Banking and Finance; Business Management; and Entrepreneurship.

He also explained that Ojerinde had expressed his delight for the opportunity given to him to address the university’s council. He said the proposed Computer-Based Testing scheduled to take off next year, i.e. 2013, will entail that the university as an e-Examination centre must improve its ICT facilities to meet the required standard.