By Funmilayo Adeyemi

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced the release of results from its mop-up Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted on June 28.

In a statement signed by JAMB’s Head of Public Affairs and Protocol, Dr Fabian Benjamin, in Abuja on Sunday, the board also provided an update on its ongoing crackdown on a widespread fake admission letter syndicate.

Benjamin said, of the 96,838 candidates slated for the mop-up examination, results had been released for 11,161 candidates who sat for the test.

He urged candidates who were unable to access their results to ensure they follow the prescribed procedure.

The procedure, according to him is by sending the text, “UTMERESULT” (as one word) to 55019 or 66019 using the same phone number they registered with, for the UTME.

He added that non-compliance with this requirement has been identified as the main reason some candidates cannot access their scores.

Meanwhile, JAMB has also offered a detailed update on efforts to dismantle a syndicate engaged in the production of fake JAMB admission letters for a fee.

Benjamin disclosed that an investigation, carried out with the support of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC), led to the arrest of five ringleaders who had confessed to producing and distributing forged admission letters.

The suspects, he said, are currently being prosecuted at the Federal High Court in Abuja in the case titled, Inspector General of Police vs Effa Leonard and Four Others.

He revealed that the syndicate’s activities implicated a total of 17,417 candidates flagged as beneficiaries.

“Between 2024 and May 2025, JAMB cleared 6,903 of these candidates after they rectified minor discrepancies.

“However, 10,514 candidates were referred to designated police investigation offices.

“Of these, 5,669 were confirmed to have procured forged admission letters outrightly.

“Another 4,832 were found to have tried to bypass the Board’s formal process for undisclosed admissions (typically covered by a 2017–2020 ministerial waiver) by resorting to the syndicate,” he said.

Additionally, he said 13 other candidates were flagged due to individual acts of omission or commission.

“Twelve of these cases date back to 2017 when the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) was introduced.

“The flagged candidates are spread across institutions including Bayero University Kano (2), Enugu State University of Science and Technology (2).

“Others are, one each from Ramat Polytechnic Maiduguri, Federal University of Technology Akure, Ekiti State University, Yaba College of Technology, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Osun State Polytechnic Ire, Ben Idahosa University, Obong University, and the University of Ilorin,” he added.

He, however, said that following its management meeting on July 5, 2025, JAMB resolved to give the 13 candidates an opportunity to rectify the specific anomalies in their records and print new admission letters.

According to him, they will be added to the batch of 6,903 whose cases were previously condoned.

“Furthermore, the Board announced that 1,532 candidates, who claimed they were unaware of the syndicate’s role in facilitating their admission letters and whose institutions eventually processed their condonement properly, would be formally warned but ultimately condoned.

“However, 3,300 candidates remain under investigation for allegedly securing admissions that were neither legitimate nor properly processed by their claimed institutions,” he explained.

Benjamin warned that the Board’s screening processes would continue rigorously.

He said that any candidate found to have engaged in or solicited help from examination or certificate fraudsters would face consequences under the Examination Malpractices Act.

This, he said, would include possible prosecution, with penalties applicable even to minors and their culpable guardians or parents.

“The Board remains committed to upholding the integrity of the admission process and ensuring that only duly qualified candidates gain access to tertiary education in Nigeria,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi

By Hajara Leman

President Bola Tinubu has unveiled plans of hybrid electrification of the Federal University Kashere (FUK), Gombe State, by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).

Tinubu also announced plans for the construction of a dam on the Kashere River by the Ministry of Water Resources.

The President, who disclosed this at the 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th combined convocation ceremony of FUK on saturday, in Kashere, was represented by Prof. Ibrahim Garba, the Vice-Chancellor of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi.

He said the dam project was intended to support the university’s agricultural training programme and improve water access for surrounding communities.

Tinubu emphasised government’s unwavering commitment to promoting access to quality education.

He recalled the launch of the National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), stating that, “With NELFUND, no brilliant mind shall be left behind simply because of circumstance.”

The president also urged Nigerian universities to explore sustainable funding models.

“The era of over-reliance on government subventions must give way to innovative revenue generation, strategic partnerships, intellectual property development, and well-managed endowment funds,” he said.

Commending the efforts of staff, management, and the Gombe State Government in the development of the university, Tinubu called for continued cooperation to foster peace and security in the North-East and to further position universities as “vanguards of national renaissance.

In his welcome speech, Prof. Umaru Pate, Vice-Chancellor of FUK, noted that the academic profile of the institution was on the rise.

Pate said the university had prioritised academic relevance through robust research activities and collaborations with credible national and international institutions.

He said that during the period under review, the university hosted 10 major national and international conferences to enhance its scholarly visibility.

“These efforts coincided with a significant increase in both undergraduate and postgraduate enrolment, which rose from 8,311 to 17,345, along with a corresponding increase in graduation output,” Pate said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Nyisom Fiyigon Dore

By Hajara Leman

President Bola Tinubu has formally installed Igwe Lawrence Agubuzu, the Ogbunechendo of Ezema Olo Kingdom, as the Chancellor of the Federal University of Kashere in Gombe State.

The investiture held on Saturday in Gombe, coincided with the university’s combined 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th convocation ceremonies for the award of higher degrees and the conferment of honorary doctorate degrees.

Tinubu was represented at the event by Prof. Ibrahim Garba, the Vice-Chancellor, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi.

“By the powers conferred on me as the visitor to this university, I formally install you, His Royal Majesty, Igwe Dr Lawrence Agubuzu, as the Chancellor of the Federal University of Kashere.

“I also confer upon you all the rights, powers, and privileges pertaining to this office,” he said.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Umaru Pate, pledged his loyalty and support to the newly installed Chancellor.

Pate said the university council also approved the conferment of the honorary Doctorate of Letters on the Chancellor.

“By the authority vested in me as Vice-Chancellor of FUK, I confer upon you, Your Majesty, the Honorary Doctorate Degree of Letters,” he said.

The Chancellor, Igwe Agubuzu, expressed appreciation for the honour bestowed on him.

He commended the Emir of Gombe, Abubakar Shehu III, and other emirs for promoting peace and cultural continuity in the area.

The royal father enjoined the graduands to be good ambassadors of the institution, and to uphold the values, excellence, and integrity instilled in them.

He said that the other four recipients of the honorary doctorate degrees had became part of the legacy and future of the university by virtue of their conferment.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the university also conferred honorary doctorate degrees on four notable Nigerians in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the national development and nation building across sectors.

They are: Prof. Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu, Dr Kole Shettima and Rep. Abubakar Bichi.

Pate was recognised for his tireless work in health policy, public health leadership, and improving healthcare access for Nigerians.

One of the recipients, Kalu, thanked the University Governing Board, the Chancellor and the Vice-Chancellor for the honour bestowed on them.

He also lauded Gov. Inuwa Yahaya for his contributions to the university and urged him to sustain the tempo.

NAN reports that the university has earlier awarded first degree certificates to 6,870 graduates, during a convocation ceremony held on Friday. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ijendu Iheaka/Rabiu Sani-Ali

By Peter Uwumarogie

The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Kashere (FUK), Prof. Umaru Pate, has urged tertiary institutions to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) in tackling unemployment and poverty.

Pate made the call on Friday in Kashere, Gombe State, during the university’s third combined convocation ceremony for undergraduate graduands.

He explained that AI was causing some jobs to disappear while creating new opportunities, saying only those with relevant skills would benefit from AI-driven employment.

He stated that for Nigerian youths to remain relevant, universities must adopt modern approaches to education focused on current knowledge and technological innovation.

Pate said stakeholders must stop preparing students for obsolete jobs, as AI was reshaping the employment landscape at an unprecedented pace.

He called on universities to shift from traditional teaching methods and prioritise AI-driven training to meet evolving global demands.

“At this university, we avoid training students for jobs that will soon become obsolete due to automation and AI,” he said.

He cited recent reports predicting that over 92 million jobs may vanish within five years, while 120 million new roles will emerge through AI and digital technologies.

“We require fresh mindsets, updated skills, and renewed cognitive and emotional capacities to stay relevant or risk fading into global irrelevance,” he warned.

Pate stressed that oil was no longer the global economic driver. Instead, knowledge and innovation had become the new forces of global relevance.

He said Nigerian universities must take the lead in embracing the worldwide transition towards a knowledge-based economy.

Pate called for greater investment in youth education, describing young people as the true engine of Nigeria’s future.

He said investing in their education could help address poverty, crime, conflict, corruption, climate change and other developmental challenges.

The VC urged the graduating students to focus on personal development, stating that digital skills and critical thinking were essential for success in today’s world.

He encouraged the 6,870 graduating students to be worthy ambassadors of the university wherever they go. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Stanley Nwanosike/Kamal Tayo Oropo

By Leonard Okachie

Brig.-Gen. Hassan Bello, Commander, 14 Brigade Nigerian Army Headquarters, Ohafia, in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia, has urged students to consider taking up a career in the military.

Bello made this statement during a public speaking engagement for secondary school students, organised by the Brigade on Friday at Ngwa High School, Aba.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme is part of activities for the 2025 Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL).

Bello, represented by the brigade’s Chief of Staff, Col. Maxwell Maaji, said that the army offered many career opportunities and benefits.

The commander, who disclosed that the Nigerian Army was celebrating 162 years of existence, said that it had remained professional and resilient despite challenges.

He reiterated the army’s commitment to patriotism and national development.

Bello explained that NADCEL is an annual event honouring members of the Nigerian Army for their role in defending the nation’s territorial integrity.

In a presentation, the brigade’s Education Officer, Maj. Patrick Otubo, enlightened the students on some basic ethical topics and guided them on possible career paths in the Nigerian Army.

He urged the students to be patriotic, imbibe honesty and integrity, as well as abstain from cultism, drug abuse, and other social vices.

Otubo, who allayed the fears expressed by some students about becoming soldiers, highlighted the criteria for selection and enlistment into the Nigerian Army.

In his remarks, Rev. Canon John Mammah, the principal of the school, expressed gratitude to the Nigerian Army for organising the event.

Mammah said that it would greatly impact the students.

A student of St. James Model Secondary School, Aba, commended the army for organising the programme, saying that the event had ignited her interest in joining the Nigerian Army.

NAN reports that the event, which brought together students from some schools in Abia, featured an interactive session, cultural dance, and other side attractions. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Victor Adeoti/Folasade Adeniran