University of Abuja says the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB lacks constitutional powers to meddle in admissions into universities.

The university also refuted last week’s allegations by JAMB that it was engaging in “Illegal admissions”, outside the constitutional provisions.

In a statement on Monday by its Head, Information and University Relations, Dr Habib Yakoob, the university insisted that it had not done anything wrong to have conducted admissions without JAMB’s input.

It quoted the Universities Miscellaneous Provisions, (Amendment) Act 2003 7a (ii) as giving the university’s Senate the “powers in all academic matters including the organisation and control, teaching and research, admission of students.”

“What this means is that the university, not any external body, is guaranteed the power of admissions,” it stated.

The statement, entitled, ‘The University of Abuja is not engaged in illegal admissions’ read in part, “The University of Abuja has been constrained to respond to recent reports in the media that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has named the University, among others (curiously unmentioned), as being engaged in “illegal admissions” exercise because it failed to upload the list of its admission on Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS). “The University of Abuja wishes to categorically and emphatically state that it has not conducted any illegal admissions, and has nothing to hide as far as its admission exercise is concerned.

“It makes bold to state that, at the moment, the University has one of the best and most transparent systems of admission in the country.

“This, indeed, is the only federal university which catchment area is the whole of Nigeria, and truly and practically admits from all states of the country, while simultaneously upholding the principle of merit and excellence!

“Our rules are clear and transparent. As long as candidates have taken the UTME, scored 180 and above, met the University’s cut-off points and some other stringent criteria set by JAMB, the University ensures, within the limit of its capacity, that such candidates stand a chance of getting admitted. “In other words, nobody who has not taken the UTME, nor failed to meet JAMB or University guidelines, can be admitted in the University of Abuja now.

“In any case, the University is familiar with the operation of CAPS, and has since, largely embraced it as part of its contributions to ensuring that the university system serves and protects the interest of all Nigerians in the search of quality tertiary education.

“For instance, the Merit List for the 2020/2021 admissions was proposed on CAPS and all queries issued on same were replied to accordingly.

“It is important to note that candidates have been directed to ensure that they upload their ‘O’ Level results and accept their offer of admission on CAPS. This is the clearest proof if any is needed that the University is not opposed to or in violation of CAPS and what it represents.

“However, the University is careful that in following this operation, it is not hindered to effectively deliver the service for which it was created, in the first place. After all, it is not outside the powers of the University to conduct admissions of our students.”