The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued a clarification regarding the ongoing controversy surrounding the inability of some Higher National Diploma (HND) graduates to participate in the mandatory one-year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

The Board strongly refuted recent claims made by some HND graduates who have blamed JAMB for their exclusion from the NYSC mobilization process.

These candidates alleged that despite completing their HND on a full-time basis, they were not mobilized for NYSC because they pursued their Ordinary National Diploma (OND) on a part-time basis. However, JAMB has made it clear that it has no role in this matter.

In a statement released on Monday, September 2, in Abuja, JAMB spokesperson Dr. Fabian Benjamin emphasized that the Board is not involved in the admissions process for HND candidates. He cited Section 5(2) of the law that established JAMB, which clearly delineates the Board’s responsibilities.

“How on earth does that concern JAMB when Section 5(2) of the law that established JAMB states that, ‘For the avoidance of doubt, the Board shall be responsible for determining matriculation requirements and conducting examinations leading to undergraduate admissions, as well as for admissions to National Diploma and Nigerian Certificate in Education courses. However, the Board shall not be responsible for examinations or any other selective processes for postgraduate courses or any other courses offered by tertiary institutions,’” Benjamin stated.

The statement further explained that many of the students were admitted into their institutions for National Diploma (ND) without JAMB’s knowledge. Despite this, JAMB graciously condoned and endorsed the said admissions for the ND program, which was the extent of its involvement with these candidates.

“Their subsequent admission to HND is unknown and irrelevant to the mandate of the Board. As such, accusing the Board on issues it has no mandate is preposterous,” the statement added.

JAMB also issued a stern warning, noting that some of the affected candidates may have crossed the line into criminality, a matter that the Board intends to address appropriately in due course.

“The public is urged to disregard the accusations labelled against the Board as it has no mandate on such matter,” the statement concluded.