Education

Mmesoma’s father apologises to JAMB, Nigerians, begs for daughter

Published

3 years ago

July 9, 2023

Romanus Ejikeme and daughter, Joy Mmesoma

Mmesoma’s father apologises to JAMB, Nigerians, begs for daughter

Mr. Romanus Ejikeme, father of Mmesoma Ejikeme, the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) candidate who falsified her result, has publicly apologised to the Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) and Nigerians.

According to a video interview with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Mr Ejikeme claimed that his daughter lied to him, stressing that now that he had known the truth, he wished that JAMB could pardon his daughter.

He admitted to have made a mistake after the Anambra State government committee of inquiry set up to look into the controversy surrounding her daughter’s Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) result found her guilty of forging her result unaided.

Mmesoma’s father maintained that he did not know where his daughter registered for the examination, but that he gave her the money for the registration.

He said: “My daughter did not open up to me on time. When I realised her mistake, I blamed her.

“I told her, ‘Mmesoma, be careful. You know you are a star and will not dent your image’.

Meanwhile, former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has commended the outcome of the Anambra State panel report indicting Mmesoma Ejikeme of forging her JAMB result.

Ezekwesili spoke through her official Twitter handle @ obyezeks on Saturday.

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She noted that the panel’s investigation report showed that MsMmesoma had been given a fair hearing, and the facts from the reports showed that whatever consequences she got were fit for the action of her wrongdoing.

It would be recalled that the Anambra State government committee of inquiry set up to look into the controversy surrounding the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) result of Miss Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma indicted her of forging her result unaided.

The committee revealed in an eight-page report that Mmesoma admitted she forged her results, using her mobile phone without any plausible motivation or help from someone else.

The panel consisting of professors and ICT experts, reviewed all evidences from JAMB and Miss Mmesoma, recommended that she tenders an unreserved written apology to JAMB, her school (Anglican Girls’ Secondary School, Uruagu Nnewi) and the Anambra State government.

According to a press release by Prof. Nkemdili Nnonyelu, chairman of the committee, the results released by JAMB with respect to the UTME score of Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma is 249, and the results paraded by Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma with aggregate score of 362 is fake as buttressed by the very significant and instructive variations in the registration number, date of birth, centre name and other infractions.

“Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma admitted that she manipulated the fake results herself, using her phone.

“The Principal Anglican Girls’ Secondary School — Mrs. Edu Uche and the Education Secretary, Diocese of Nnewi (Anglican Communion) expressed dismay at the conduct of Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma.

The committee said: “That Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma tenders an unreserved written apology to JAMB, the School (Anglican Girls’ Secondary School, Uruagu Nnewi) and the Anambra State Government. This should be done immediately.

“Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma should undergo psychological counselling and therapy.

“All prospective candidates for JAMB Admission should adhere strictly to guidelines, processes and procedures of the examination body.

“The Committee of Inquiry commends JAMB for their diligent handling of the matter and the information supplied about the interface with the candidate (see attached).

“We hope that this unearthing of the truth as we have discovered will go a long way in correcting the sentiments, misconceptions and deceptions that have been in the public domain.

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“We thank Mr. Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo for setting up this Committee, and, for the confidence reposed in the committee.”

JAMB Reacts

Meanwhile, the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has said that it would always ensure credible, fair, and reliable assessments in its public examinations.

It stated this in reaction to the report of the panel set up by the Anambra State government to look into the controversy surrounding the UTME result of Miss Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma.

The committee’s report, which was released at the weekend, indicted the 19-year-old for forging her result unaided.

JAMB’s Head of Public Affairs and Protocol, Fabian Benjamin, stated in a statement that there had never been any doubt about the credibility of the examination body.

According to him, the panel’s report not only vindicated the body but also reaffirmed the fact that the examination body’s system could never be compromised.

He added that the board had been more determined than ever before in the fight to ensure a clean public examination sector, regardless of distractions from detractors.

While clarifying that Mmesoma had finally admitted to forging her result, the statement also revealed that her real age was 19, contrary to the belief held by many that she was 16.

The Board said: “The report of the Commission of Inquiry set up by the Anambra State Government, an independent and unbiased body, as demanded by some Nigerians to look into the Mmesoma saga, has vindicated the Board. This has further reinforced the position of the Board that its system was not and cannot be compromised.

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“It is to be noted that the Board has built a reputation in terms of the conduct of credible examinations over the years and cannot afford to fail the nation at this critical juncture of its development.

“Therefore, we will not despair in spite of the painful realisation that some Nigerians would do anything to cast aspersions on the good name of the Board.

“However, in spite of all the posturing of its detractors, the Board remains resolute and uncompromising in its commitment to give Nigeria the best as far as credible and fair assessment is concerned.

“In fact, the Board is, more than ever, determined to continue to forge ahead unmindful of the shenanigan of those who desire its fall.

“For the benefit of those who are still doubting the capacity of Ms. Mmesoma to commit this egregious crime and those who are pushing the narrative that the girl is just 16 years old, even against all available data that indicate her age as an adult of 19 years, Ms. Mmesoma has owned up to committing the heinous infraction, which was carefully crafted to destroy the very foundation of one of the nation’s agencies charged with the critical role of apportioning the limited educational resource of the nation based on fairness equity and integrity.

“It is, therefore, highly regrettable that some Nigerians, who do not believe in the strength and resourcefulness of their nation’s institutions, would latch on to any opportunity to pull the Board down to their level of perfidy.

“One vital lesson that Nigerians should learn from the imbroglio, is to learn to appreciate the genuine efforts of their critical national institutions to chart the course of national rebirth. Hence, this attitude of attacking everything that makes the nation proud even by people who should know better, is disheartening. The flip side of this is to infer that some ethnic jingoists had perhaps been elevated to public office and recognition beyond their mental and emotional capacity.

“The Board would continue to be guided by the principles of inclusiveness and fairness as demonstrated by its seamless and unprompted deployment of a dedicated software called the Central Admission Processing System (CAPS), which not only eliminates human interference in the admission process, but also engenders equity, fairness, transparency to all as we do not know tribe or religion.”

Mmesoma’s father apologises to JAMB, Nigerians, begs for daughter

Education

Germany Opens Fully Funded Scholarships for Nigerians, Africans

Published

12 minutes ago

April 10, 2026

Trends Admin

Germany Opens Fully Funded Scholarships for Nigerians, Africans

The government of Germany has announced the commencement of applications for the DAAD scholarship 2026 for Nigerians and Sub-Saharan Africans, offering fully funded opportunities for postgraduate study and research.

The programme, administered by the German Academic Exchange Service, is open to qualified graduates and postgraduates seeking to further their education in Germany’s top universities.

In an official announcement, authorities confirmed that the application deadline is April 29, 2026, urging interested candidates to submit their entries early due to the competitive nature of the scheme.

Opportunities for Nigerians and Africans

The Germany DAAD scholarship covers a wide range of disciplines, including engineering, public health, environmental sciences, economics, governance, and social sciences.

Germany remains a top destination for international students due to its tuition-free or low-cost education system, strong research infrastructure, and globally recognised academic standards.

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Scholarship Benefits

Successful applicants will receive a comprehensive funding package, including:

Monthly stipends (approximately €900–€1,200 depending on level)
Travel allowance
Health insurance
Accommodation support
Pre-study German language training (where applicable)

The funding typically lasts 12–24 months for Master’s programmes and up to three years or more for PhD studies.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the DAAD scholarship for Nigerians, applicants must:

Possess a relevant Bachelor’s or Master’s degree
Demonstrate strong academic performance
Provide proof of English or German language proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent)
Have relevant professional experience (for many courses)

Candidates must also submit a compelling motivation letter explaining how their studies will contribute to development in their home countries.

Application Process and Deadline

Prospective applicants are advised to carefully review the official DAAD guidelines and ensure that all required documents—including academic transcripts, CV, and recommendation letters—are submitted correctly.

Authorities stressed that late applications will not be accepted, urging candidates to apply well ahead of the April 29, 2026 deadline.

Rising Demand for German Scholarships

The DAAD scholarship 2026 is highly competitive, attracting thousands of applicants across Sub-Saharan Africa each year.

The initiative forms part of Germany’s broader commitment to strengthening global academic partnerships, supporting education, and developing future leaders across Africa.

With applications now open, qualified Nigerians are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity to study in Germany and enhance their academic and professional careers.

Germany Opens Fully Funded Scholarships for Nigerians, Africans

Education

JAMB Urges Candidates, Parents to Protest Admission Bias as CAPS Ensures Transparency

Published

1 day ago

April 9, 2026

Trends Admin

JAMB registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede

JAMB Urges Candidates, Parents to Protest Admission Bias as CAPS Ensures Transparency

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has urged candidates and parents to speak up against admission bias if they are confident in their UTME scores but are denied admission into their preferred institutions.

JAMB Registrar, Ishaq Oloyede, made this known during an interview on Good Morning Nigeria, a programme aired by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).

He stressed that the current admission system, powered by the Central Admission Processing System (CAPS), is designed to ensure transparency, fairness, and accountability across Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.

According to Oloyede, many parents still resort to illegal means because they believe admission cannot be secured without influence. He described this mindset as having “climbed the ladder to illegality,” warning that such actions are no longer necessary under the present system.

He explained that candidates who meet the required cut-off marks and admission criteria but are unfairly denied admission should formally protest through JAMB, as CAPS allows full visibility into the admission process.

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The registrar highlighted that CAPS enables candidates to track their admission status in real time, accept or reject offers, and ensures institutions follow approved guidelines. He added that the platform prevents schools from secretly manipulating admission lists or replacing qualified candidates.

Oloyede further revealed that since the introduction of CAPS in 2017, cases of admission irregularities have significantly declined, with no major systemic failure recorded.

Addressing concerns about Direct Entry admissions, he noted that JAMB has strengthened its verification process to curb fraud. This includes stricter checks on qualifications such as JUPEB and IJMB certificates, making it increasingly difficult to forge results.

He disclosed that the board now verifies academic credentials directly with awarding institutions, including foreign universities. According to him, recent checks uncovered several fake degrees, with some foreign institutions confirming that such certificates were not issued by them.

The registrar added that JAMB has intensified collaboration with universities and other regulatory bodies to ensure proper screening of A-level results and early detection of fraudulent applications.

He emphasized that with improved digital tracking and verification systems, any attempt to bypass the admission process will be detected, urging candidates to rely on merit rather than shortcuts.

Ultimately, JAMB reiterated that qualified candidates must defend their rights through official channels, as the system now supports fairness and equal opportunity for all.

JAMB Urges Candidates, Parents to Protest Admission Bias as CAPS Ensures Transparency

Education

Jigawa Arrests Seven Teachers for Cheating During Competency Test

Published

4 days ago

April 6, 2026

Trends Admin

Nigerian Teachers in Jigawa writing Exam

File photo

Jigawa Arrests Seven Teachers for Cheating During Competency Test

The Jigawa State Government has arrested seven teachers for allegedly engaging in examination malpractice during a large-scale teacher competency assessment involving over 8,400 educators. The arrests are part of the state’s ongoing efforts to improve accountability, professionalism, and learning outcomes in public schools.

The assessment, conducted by the Jigawa State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), is described as a Teacher Training Needs Assessment, aimed at identifying gaps in teachers’ knowledge and skills to inform targeted training programs.

Chairman of SUBEB, Haruna Musa, confirmed that the affected teachers have been handed over to the police for investigation, emphasizing that the exercise is more than a routine test. “This assessment is not just about testing knowledge; it is about restoring integrity and professionalism in our schools,” he said.

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Musa noted that examination malpractice, whether by teachers or students, undermines the credibility of the education sector and would not be tolerated. He also warned against absenteeism and involvement in partisan politics during school hours.

According to officials, the arrests are intended to serve as a deterrent to others and reinforce the government’s commitment to enforcing discipline and ethical conduct in schools. The arrested teachers are currently in police custody, and investigations are ongoing to determine whether additional personnel were involved.

Education experts have described the crackdown as a critical step toward safeguarding learning standards, emphasizing that teacher integrity directly impacts student achievement and the overall quality of education.

The Jigawa competency test reflects the state government’s determination to ensure that only qualified and competent personnel remain in the public education system, highlighting broader efforts to improve educational outcomes and accountability across Nigeria.

Jigawa Arrests Seven Teachers for Cheating During Competency Test