Students participating in a legislative committee meeting on admission age policy and JAMB support.
By Aaron Ossai
The House of Representatives Committee on Basic Examination Bodies has pledged continued support for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and other examination bodies across the country to enable them to effectively discharge their mandates.
Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Oforji Oboku gave the assurance when members of the Committee visited the venue of the ongoing “underage examination” in Abuja on Wednesday.
Hon. Oboku commended the exceptional performance of the young candidates participating in the examination, describing them as a source of pride to the nation.
“We are very proud of these children, and I know JAMB is equally proud of them. About 176 students across the country are taking this examination which shows that Nigeria is competing favourably in education with other countries in Africa,” he said.
He lauded JAMB for its efforts in maintaining excellence in the conduct of examinations, noting that the achievements recorded by the students reflect the progress being made in Nigeria’s education sector.
“The performance of these underage students shows that our educational system is moving in the right direction. We are very proud of JAMB, and we will continue to support and encourage them to do more,” he stated.
The lawmaker also commended members of the Committee for their dedication and commitment to oversight responsibilities, describing their presence at the early morning exercise as a demonstration of their passion for national development through education.
On the issue of the age limit for university admission, Hon. Oboku clarified that the policy originated from the Federal Ministry of Education, not JAMB, but assured that the House will review it as part of broader educational reforms.
“The issue of age limit is not JAMB’s decision; it’s a government policy. JAMB is only implementing what the Ministry of Education has approved. However, we will look into it and, if the need arises, take the necessary legislative steps,” he added.
He reiterated the Committee’s commitment to supporting all examination bodies in improving standards and promoting merit-based educational advancement in the country.
