Education
JAMB Goes After Deceptive High Scorers
By Sunday Isuwa
The shocking truth behind the fake high scores in the 2023 UTME exams has now unfolded, following the case of Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma and Dr Innocent Chukwuma’s involvement in this scandal.
In recent times, numerous publications in both print and online media have surfaced, celebrating certain candidates for achieving exceptional scores in the 2023 UTME (Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination) conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
However, the truth behind these supposed high scores is far from what it seems.
The JAMB Board has said that it feels compelled to set the record straight and make it abundantly clear that many of these candidates are parading fake results.
Contrary to the candidates claim, these individuals have actually obtained significantly lower scores and resorted to manipulative software packages to deceive unsuspecting members of the public.
One particularly disheartening case is that of Miss Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma, who boldly claimed to have achieved an impressive score of 362 in the 2023 UTME.
As a result of this claim, she was even promised a N3 million scholarship by Dr Innocent Chukwuma, the founder of Innoson Motors.
It was gathered that Anambra State Government was prepared to honour her, but before proceeding, a top official placed a call to JAMB to verify her score.
The shocking revelation unfolded when the Board disclosed that Miss Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma’s actual score was 249, far below her fraudulent claim.
Her cunning act aimed to fraudulently obtain a scholarship and other forms of recognition.
Regrettably, individuals like Mmesoma continue to deceive those who hastily bestow honors upon candidates without seeking confirmation from the JAMB Board.
Another similar case reported by Elanza News involved Atung Gerald from Kaduna, who asserted a remarkable score of 380.
His ethnic group advocated for special recognition, only to be let down by the Board’s irrefutable evidence that Atung had never even applied for the 2023 UTME, let alone sat for the examination.
To prevent further incidents of this nature, the JAMB Board urges the public to cross-verify candidates’ claims with the Board before rushing to honor them with undeserved awards.
It has come to light that certain software has been designed to fabricate results, leading sponsors and well-meaning individuals like Dr. Innocent, the founder of Innoson Motors, to unknowingly defraud good-hearted Nigerians who genuinely wish to celebrate academic excellence by investing in the education of deserving young Nigerians.
“We commend the efforts of individuals such as Dr Innocent Chukwuma and encourage other Nigerians who aspire to invest in the future of authentic talents to remain undeterred,” JAMB said, however, advised that it is crucial that good Nigerians always ensure they obtain the genuine results from the Board, just as the Anambra State Ministry of Education has done.
“Failure to do so, ” JAMB said, could inadvertently lead to the celebration of criminality, adding that the fraudulent trend gains traction.
“It is important to note that while these candidates manipulate their purported results, the genuine scores remain in the possession of the Board and will be transmitted to their respective chosen institutions at the appropriate time,” Dr Fabian Benjamin, the JAMB Head of Public Affairs, said while shedding more light on the case of Miss Mmesoma.
“She initially sent a message to the Board’s platform requesting her UTME result, only to manually inflate her scores and paste the fabricated outcome on the 2022 UTME result sheet.
“Unfortunately for her, she was unaware that the Board had altered the design of the 2023 UTME result sheet. As a result, her original score of 249 remains unchanged and cannot be manipulated. Miss Mmesoma will face prosecution for her ignoble actions, and her original result will be revoked,” he said.
This case is just the tip of the iceberg. Elanza News reports that the JAMB Board intends to launch a thorough investigation into all candidates who claim higher scores than they actually achieved.
“Once these discrepancies are uncovered, their original results will be immediately nullified, and the individuals involved will be handed over to the relevant security agencies for prosecution,” Benjamin said.
It is essential for both candidates and the public to understand the gravity of these fraudulent practices. The integrity of the UTME exams is crucial for maintaining a fair and merit-based education system. Falsifying results not only undermines the credibility of the examination process but also jeopardizes the future opportunities of genuinely deserving candidates.
To prevent falling victim to such deceitful acts, aspiring candidates and their sponsors should exercise due diligence.
Here are some recommended steps to ensure authenticity and avoid being deceived
Verify with the JAMB Board: Before celebrating or granting awards based on high scores, always verify the results with the official JAMB Board. They have accurate and authenticated records to confirm the candidates’ achievements.
Cross-check Application Documents
Ensure that candidates have the necessary application documents, including registration and examination slips. Lack of these essential documents raises suspicions about the authenticity of the claimed results.
Communicate with the Appropriate Authorities
Reach out to the relevant educational institutions or state ministries of education to validate candidates’ achievements. These authorities can provide additional confirmation and prevent falling victim to false claims.
Scrutinize Result Sheets
Examine the result sheets carefully. Look for any signs of tampering or inconsistencies. Fake results may contain irregularities that can be detected upon close examination.
Support Genuine Academic Excellence
Instead of hastily rewarding unverified claims, focus on celebrating and supporting authentic academic achievements. Promote scholarship programs, educational initiatives, and investments in the future of deserving students through trusted channels.
By following these precautionary measures, we can collectively combat the proliferation of fake high scores and safeguard the credibility of the education system. It is imperative that we uphold the values of honesty, integrity, and meritocracy to ensure a fair and equitable future for all Nigerian students.
Remember, true success lies in genuine accomplishments, not in deceiving others or resorting to fraudulent tactics. Let us work together to promote a culture of honesty and transparency in the pursuit of education.
In a bid to contribute to educational advancement and development, the Neo-Black Movement (NBM) of Africa, Obafemi Owode Sub Zone, under the Ogun Region, has donated educational materials to selected government primary schools in the Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The initiative aligns with the Support-A-School-Child Project, spearheaded by the national leadership of NBM, aimed at bolstering education across Nigeria.
The donation was presented by Ambassador Tehinse Olanrewaju Ayoola on behalf of the Obafemi Owode Sub Zone.
Speaking at the event, Ayoola emphasised that the gesture would be an ongoing effort, particularly considering that Obafemi Owode is the largest local government area in Ogun State.
He urged students to remain focused on their studies while steering clear of cultism, drug abuse, and other social vices.
According to him, guiding young students in the right direction is crucial in preventing them from straying onto the wrong path.
The beneficiaries expressed their gratitude to NBM of Africa, Obafemi Owode Sub Zone, for their support and prayed for the continued growth of the movement.
The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has unveiled its initiative to establish 18 new Innovation Hubs in tertiary institutions throughout Nigeria in 2025. This effort aims to bolster the nation’s research and innovation landscape.
During the closing ceremony of the 30th Cohort of the Research for Impact (R4i) initiative, held at the Innov8 Technology Hub in Abuja, TETFund’s Executive Secretary, Arch. Sonny Echono, shared the details of this ambitious project.
Echono emphasized that this initiative reflects TETFund’s dedication to nurturing a culture of problem-solving research, entrepreneurship, and technological progress. He highlighted the critical role of education and research in fostering national development and sustainable growth.
The R4i program, developed in partnership with Innov8 Technology Hub, is designed to enhance the capabilities of researchers and academics, empowering them to conduct innovative research that directly addresses societal challenges.
The Fund is committed to institutionalizing Research & Development (R&D) within Nigerian universities and fostering connections between research and industry. Echono explained that the phased establishment of Innovation Hubs and Entrepreneurship Centres will enable participants to apply their skills continuously and mentor others in their innovative endeavors.
He acknowledged the importance of research in enhancing the quality of life in the nation and expressed gratitude to Innov8 for its collaboration in transforming the innovation ecosystem. Participants were encouraged to leverage their training to develop impactful innovations for their institutions and communities.
“I am pleased to recognize the impressive commitment displayed by participants of previous cohorts during their training, which led to significant innovations addressing various societal needs,” Echono remarked.
He also noted that several innovations from prior editions were showcased at the inaugural TETFund National Research Fair/Exhibition in November 2024, and he expressed confidence that the current cohort would similarly demonstrate their innovative outputs.
Echono detailed the phased funding approach for establishing Innovation Hubs and Entrepreneurship Centres, stating that the first phase will involve 12 institutions under the 2023 intervention, followed by 18 institutions in the 2024 intervention, and another 18 in 2025.
“These facilities will empower program participants to implement what they have learned at the innovation hubs and guide others,” he added.
Professor Idris M. Bugaje, Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), also addressed the audience, underscoring the necessity of patenting innovations and registering trade names for intellectual property protection. He urged Nigerian polytechnics to spearhead practical innovation by applying scientific principles to develop products and technologies that could enhance Nigeria’s technological status.
Bugaje criticized the country’s dependence on foreign manufactured goods, such as vehicles and electronics, and called for a shift towards local production. He cited examples from Rwanda and Uganda, encouraging polytechnics to promote teamwork and take proactive measures to demonstrate Nigeria’s innovative capabilities, thereby contributing to the national economy.
“I believe many of the innovations you have showcased are patentable, as securing patents is a crucial step in innovation. You must protect your ideas and discoveries. Furthermore, if any names have been proposed, trade name registration is also essential,” he stated.
He emphasized the urgent need for innovation in Nigeria, reminding attendees that despite being one of the world’s largest economies, Nigeria lacks a recognizable indigenous technology. “This training is vital as it fosters teamwork, which is integral to the innovation process,” he concluded.
Mr. Edward Singhatey, Director at Innov8 Hub, encouraged participants to take the knowledge gained back to their institutions and share it with their students to foster innovation. “We must focus on commercializing our research,” he urged, motivating attendees to utilize the resources at their disposal effectively.
The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) says it will partner with relevant agencies to boost Artificial Intelligence (AI) studies in the nation’s tertiary institutions.
The Executive Secretary of TETFund, Mr Sonny Echono, said this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday.
He said the Fund had drastically scaled up textbook production in addition to other initiatives such as ICT centres to position Nigeria as a leader in AI in Africa.
He said this was part of TETFund’s contribution to the nation’s quest to tap into the multi-trillion dollars global digital economy.
According to him, AI is one of the few subject areas where the Fund could send scholars abroad for further training because it had not fully developed in Nigeria.
“We don’t send anybody outside anymore. But AI is a new and expanding field. It is one of the few areas we are training people abroad because we want to lead in Africa,’’ he told NAN.
He said the Fund had supported the development of AI textbooks, covering topics such as AI in teaching and learning, ethics, and curriculum development.
Echono said the aim was to boost the use of AI and to get the tertiary institutions to begin to exploit and use it in teaching and learning.
He said that in addition to book development, TETFund had trained over 3,000 scholars in AI and emerging ICT trends in the last two years in collaboration with leading institutions.
He explained that the initiative had resulted in the ICT training of over 17,000 educators through the International Computer Driving License (ICDL) programme.
“We started with general ICT training because we’ve been doing a lot of ICT training. If the teacher is not ICT-savvy, even for him to put his lecture on the platform is a problem.
“For him to interact with the students on the platform or to send his mark, to do his marking scheme, to relate, to get presentations, even zoom meetings would be a problem he must be ICT literate.
“After that we started letting them understand how they can use ICT, how they can leverage on it to improve the quality of their delivery and the experiences of their students,” he said.
“We want to leapfrog others in ICT, robotics. We are coming very strong in robotics now, but we are late comers, some people are already doing it before us.
“But we don’t want anybody to be ahead of us on this continent. So we are pushing those frontiers,” he said.
Echono also said that the present TETFund management inherited a stagnated book development programme that published only 20 books in 13 years.
He said that upon assuming office in 2022, he challenged the book development committee to meet ambitious targets of producing more books.
“I said, in the first year, you must do 50, if not I’m going to disband it, we’re wasting money coming to do meetings, talking, and not seeing the books.
“Later, I said I want to see up to 100 books being published and they said it can be done. We’ll give you all the support, publicise and advertise to Nigerian authors.
“We identified the subjects where we do not have enough textbooks. We Tasked the professors and all the experts in that field to put things in order..
Echono said this challenge spurred the book development committee as TETFund published 50 books in 2023, another 60 shortly after with another tranche of 50 textbooks published recently.
He explained that another batch of 50 textbooks was currently in under production. (NAN)