JAMB Clears FUTA Graduate After 7-Year Fake Admission Controversy
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has reactivated the portal of a graduate of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Mr Jamiu Basola, years after he was flagged for allegedly gaining admission into the institution through irregular means.
Recall that Basola, who graduated with a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 4.41 from the Department of Civil Engineering in 2024, encountered difficulties during his final clearance, as the university’s Student Affairs Division informed him that his National Youth Service Corps mobilisation had been rejected.
Basola stated that he wrote the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination in 2017 and was admitted into FUTA in 2018.
However, upon attempting to process his NYSC mobilisation, he discovered that his name was missing from JAMB’s matriculation list, with the board declaring his admission “fake”.
“My portal was locked. I couldn’t access anything. But now I can log in again. I’ve reprinted my documents and confirmed that my name now appears on the matriculation list,” he said in a telephone conversation on Monday.
Following several failed attempts to resolve the matter independently, Basola reportedly petitioned key officials of the university, including the Registrar, Vice-Chancellor, and Chairman of the Admissions Committee, pleading for intervention.
The development has now taken a positive turn as the National Association of Nigerian Students, in a statement issued by its National Public Relations Officer, Adeyemi Ajasa, confirmed that sustained pressure by the students’ body led to the restoration of Basola’s JAMB portal and the correction of his admission status.
“This resolution is a major victory for justice and the welfare of Nigerian students. Comrade Jamiu’s academic dedication was unfairly questioned, but today, his perseverance has paid off. His victory is a victory for all Nigerian students,” Ajasa stated.
Ajasa further noted that the Civil Engineering Department at FUTA played a critical role by writing to JAMB to clarify the legitimacy of Basola’s admission, a move which helped facilitate the reversal.
He added, “This is a clear example of what collective advocacy can achieve. NANS will continue to monitor this matter until Basola is fully mobilised for NYSC. We will not tolerate situations where the academic futures of students are jeopardised by administrative lapses.”
Basola’s ordeal had earlier gained traction on social media, prompting public outcry after he revealed that he had been labelled an “unknown entity” by JAMB.
In response, the Board had claimed that the admission letter in his possession “did not emanate from its system” and demanded details on how he obtained it.
The Board’s Public Communication Adviser, Dr Fabian Benjamin, in a statement at the time, warned against using emotional appeals such as Basola’s background as an orphan, describing them as distractions from the real issues.
But with the portal now restored and his name on the matriculation list, Basola is one step closer to resolving the saga and participating in the compulsory national service.
NANS has vowed to ensure his inclusion in the next NYSC batch while calling on JAMB and universities to tighten their processes to prevent such traumatic incidents from recurring.
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
