Mary Njoku argues JAMB shouldn’t be mandatory for university admissions
Mary Njoku
Abdullateef Fowewe
Actress Mary Njoku has ignited a debate about the significance of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) exams in Nigeria’s higher education framework.
In a recent Instagram post, Njoku shared her personal challenges with the exam, noting that she failed it several times before ultimately succeeding in her acting career.
Drawing from her experiences, she raised the question of JAMB’s necessity for gaining admission to universities.
Njoku contended that the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) should suffice for assessing a student’s eligibility for higher education.
She wrote, “Why is it necessary to take the JAMB exams to gain admission into universities? Isn’t the SSCE sufficient? I don’t understand the need for JAMB+ post-JAMB when the SSCE already shows we’ve completed Secondary School.
“Speaking from experience, JAMB almost ‘jammed’ my life. Literally.
After sitting for it multiple times without admission, I thank God for NOLLYWOOD. That detour gave me purpose, but honestly, if you ask me (I know nobody is asking), I truly believe JAMB should be scrapped.
“Why should students who already passed the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) be forced to jump through yet another hoop? If universities want to be selective, they can ask for more credits, like A’s and B’s in key subjects. That’s fair. But JAMB? It discourages thousands of bright, capable young people every single year. My thoughts.”
