The Senate President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, has issued a strong appeal to the Federal Government, urging them to intervene and stop the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) from proceeding with the planned invalidation of over 7,000 graduate admissions.
Speaking on Friday, Comrade Akinteye emphasized that the decision would have far-reaching consequences, including a potential rise in crime rates across the country. He cautioned both JAMB’s Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, and the Federal Government to reconsider the policy, as it would not only disrupt the lives of the affected students but also exacerbate social and economic instability.
“This unpopular policy, which retroactively questions admissions processed years ago, is not only unjust but also projects innocent students as victims of a flawed system,” Akinteye stated.
In an official statement, NANS highlighted the deep concerns surrounding JAMB’s decision, particularly its impact on students from institutions like Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, and others.
“The attention of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has been drawn to the recent policy decision by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) under the leadership of Prof. Ishaq Oloyede to invalidate the admissions of over 7,000 graduates across various institutions in Nigeria, AAU Ekpoma inclusive,” the statement reads.
NANS further stressed the severe implications of the decision, explaining how it undermines the academic journeys, financial sacrifices, and emotional investments made by students who have already graduated.
“The implications of this decision are dire and far-reaching. Students who have spent years of academic pursuit, endured financial and emotional burdens, and successfully graduated, including those who took loans, are now being stripped of their hard-earned degrees,” the statement continued.
According to NANS, such a policy will likely drive affected students into depression, frustration, and possibly criminal activities as they struggle to navigate an already harsh economic environment. The association firmly placed the blame on institutional management, arguing that JAMB should focus its disciplinary measures on those who failed to comply with admission guidelines rather than penalizing innocent students.
“It is clear that the failure lies with the management of the institutions involved, who neglected to comply with JAMB’s admission guidelines. However, JAMB’s response to punishing students rather than the erring institutions is misplaced and counterproductive,” NANS stated.
In their concluding appeal, NANS called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Education to urgently intervene and resolve the crisis in a manner that protects the interests and futures of the affected students.
“The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) strongly condemns this decision and demands that JAMB redirect its disciplinary actions toward the administrators of these institutions rather than destroying the careers and futures of innocent students. We also call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Honorable Minister of Education to urgently intervene in this matter,” the statement concluded.
The fate of the affected graduates now hangs in the balance, with stakeholders across Nigeria closely monitoring the government’s response to NANS’ passionate plea.
