By DAYO ADESULU
Commissioners of Education across Nigeria have commended the National Tertiary Admissions Performance-Merit Award (NATAP-M) instituted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), describing it as a transformative initiative that has significantly boosted infrastructural development in tertiary institutions nationwide.
The Commissioners, however, made a strong case for the extension of the NATAP-M awards to secondary schools, arguing that such inclusion would help address persistent infrastructural gaps and improve learning outcomes at the foundational level of education.
Appeal Made Ahead of 2026 UTME/DE Exercise
The call was made during a strategic meeting between JAMB and State Commissioners of Education, held in Lagos on Saturday, January 24, 2026, as part of preparations for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE) exercise.
The forum brought together key stakeholders to review the Board’s policies, share feedback, and strengthen collaboration between JAMB and State Governments in delivering a credible examination process.
Commissioners Laud Impact of NATAP-M on Tertiary Institutions
The Education Commissioners expressed visible satisfaction with the tangible infrastructural improvements recorded in institutions that have benefited from the NATAP-M awards across the country.
They noted that the award scheme has stimulated healthy competition among tertiary institutions, encouraged compliance with standards, and promoted excellence in admissions management and institutional governance.
According to the Commissioners, the ripple effect of the initiative is evident in upgraded facilities, improved learning environments, and renewed institutional commitment to best practices.
Case for Extending Awards to Secondary Schools
Building on these gains, the Commissioners urged JAMB to consider extending NATAP-M benefits to secondary schools, many of which are grappling with severe infrastructural deficits.
They argued that including secondary schools in relevant award categories would help tackle deteriorating facilities, overcrowded classrooms, and poor learning conditions, particularly in public schools.
Such an expansion, they said, would strengthen the education pipeline by ensuring that students are better prepared before transitioning to tertiary institutions.
Support for JAMB’s Anti-School-Based Registration Campaign
During deliberations, the Commissioners also reaffirmed their support for JAMB’s campaign against school-based and bulk UTME registration, warning that such practices increase the risk of data mismatch and registration infractions.
They resolved that schools should not be involved in UTME registration processes and pledged to help sensitise the public on the dangers associated with unauthorised registration practices.
According to them, safeguarding candidates’ data integrity is critical to ensuring fairness and preventing avoidable admission complications.
Endorsement of JAMB’s Systems and Procedures
On broader operational issues, the Commissioners unanimously agreed that JAMB’s existing systems and procedures align with global best practices and should be sustained.
They commended the Board’s consistent improvements in transparency, accountability, and technology-driven reforms, noting that these measures have enhanced public confidence in national examinations.
Oloyede Seeks Deeper State-Level Collaboration
Earlier in his remarks, the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, described the Commissioners as critical partners in strengthening Nigeria’s education sector, particularly in quality control, assessment, and enforcement of standards.
“As Education Commissioners with strong grassroots connections, your support and feedback are vital in shaping our policies and keeping the public well-informed,” he said.
He explained that the meeting was convened to ensure a seamless conduct of the 2026 UTME/DE, share the Board’s vision and strategies, and introduce new measures aimed at strengthening integrity and operational efficiency.
Shared Responsibility for Credible UTME Delivery
Prof. Oloyede emphasised that the engagement was designed to foster shared ownership, consensus, and coordinated action between JAMB and State Governments.
According to him, such collaboration is essential to curbing examination malpractice, improving public sensitisation, and ensuring the successful delivery of the 2026 UTME/DE exercise.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for JAMB to brief participants on government policy directions relating to accreditation, registration requirements, e-PIN vending, cashless operations, and emerging trends in examination administration.
Strengthening Education Through Partnership
Participants agreed that sustained cooperation between JAMB and State Governments remains key to building a credible, inclusive, and future-ready education system.
As discussions on expanding NATAP-M continue, stakeholders believe that broadening its scope could further strengthen infrastructure, accountability, and excellence across Nigeria’s education landscape.
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