JAMB Bans School Based Registration, Warns "Most Candidates Regret It Thereafter"

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has completely banned group or school based registration of candidates, adding an ominous warning that "most candidates regret it thereafter."

The policy requires each candidate to appear personally at Computer Based Test centres for individual registration.

JAMB stated in capital letters: "GROUP/SCHOOL BASED REGISTRATION OF CANDIDATES IS NOT ALLOWED. MOST CANDIDATES REGRET IT THEREAFTER."

The capitalisation and dire warning suggest serious problems have arisen from group registration in previous years.

The ban means schools cannot register students in bulk, tutorial centres cannot register batches of candidates, and families cannot register multiple candidates together. Each candidate must appear personally for biometric capture and registration completion.

While JAMB did not detail specific reasons, group registration problems likely include: errors in personal data when entered by third parties; improper or fraudulent biometric capture; candidates not reviewing their information before submission; registration completed without candidates' knowledge or consent; and complications when corrections are needed.

JAMB's statement that "most candidates regret it thereafter" suggests widespread problems experienced by candidates who allowed group registration.

These regrets might include discovering errors too late to correct, finding registrations invalid, being unable to access their profiles, or facing complications during admission processing.

JAMB repeatedly emphasised throughout its guidelines that candidates must personally present themselves for registration.

"A candidate must personally present his/her Profile Code and e-PIN at any JAMB-accredited CBT Centre for registration," the Board stated.

The personal appearance requirement connects directly to biometric capture, all ten fingerprints and a live photograph must be taken at the CBT centre. This cannot be done remotely or through group processes.

In past years, some schools coordinated JAMB registration for their students, collecting information and bringing students to centres in batches. JAMB's ban suggests this practice created more problems than it solved.

Tutorial centres and coaching classes that previously registered students must now adapt to individual registration requirements. They can still support students by providing guidance and transportation, but cannot complete registration on students' behalf.

The ban extends to parents and guardians who might attempt to register on behalf of their children. "Non candidates, including parents/guardians or any proxy, are NOT allowed to transact any business on any candidate's profile."

Even the preliminary step of profile code generation must be done by candidates themselves. Parents or schools generating profile codes on behalf of students violates JAMB's policies.

JAMB made no exceptions to the group registration ban, even for candidates with disabilities (who have separate provisions) or candidates in remote areas.

The ban may create logistical challenges in rural areas where multiple candidates from one school need to travel to distant CBT centres.

However, JAMB evidently believes individual accountability outweighs these difficulties.

While schools cannot register students, they can: educate students about registration requirements; help students prepare required documents; arrange transportation to CBT centres; monitor to ensure students complete registration; and provide moral support throughout the process.

Schools and parents can verify that students completed registration correctly by asking to see the printed registration slip. This slip confirms biometric capture and registration completion.