UniIorin wins JAMB N500m as best institution

The University of Ilorin has emerged as the best institution at the Joint Admission Matriculation Board's (JAMB) National Tertiary Admissions’ Performance-Merit Award (NATAP-M Award) for the years 2021 and 2022.

The award was held during the 2024 JAMB policy meeting and the 4th edition of the National Tertiary Admissions’ Performance-Merit Award (NATAP-M Award) in Abuja on Thursday.

Unilorin was awarded a N500 million prize after securing 12 points in the overall category of five elements of the award.

Ahmed Bello University, Zaria, emerged as the as the second-best institution with 11 points and a cash prize of N75 million, while Borno State University came in third with nine points and a cash prize of N50 million.

Also, Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna, emerged as the best polytechnic with 12 points and won the N50 million prize at the sectoral awards, while the Federal College of Education, Zaria, emerged as the best college of education with 11 points and won the N50 million prize in the year under review.

For Innovation Enterprise Institutions, PEFTI Film Institute, Lagos, emerged as the as the winner with six points and a cash prize of N10 million.

The Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, said the overall award prize was increased to N750 million to help the winner achieve a tangible result with the money.

He said any institution that emerged as the as the overall winner cannot win it again until after five years to enable the price to go around.

Oloyede disclosed that this year, the Board remitted over N3.5 billion to the Federal Government and also set aside the N750 million that should be given to the winning institutions.

The Deputy Senate President, Jibril Barau, in his remark, said the ceremony not only celebrated their collective achievements but also served as a testament to their unwavering dedication.

He added that it also served asa sign of the a sign of the hard work and promotion of excellence that had become the hallmarks of the nation's tertiary admission processes.

Also, the board gave recognition awards to former Executive Secretary of NUC, Prof. Emeritus Peter Okebukola, National Coordinator, UBEC Digital Resource Centre, Prof. Baahir Galadanci, and two others for their contributions to the education sector.

Speaking on behalf of the awardees, Prof. Okebukola thanked God and the board.

“If we are to award one person out of the 220 million people in Nigeria for commitment to duty, good leadership, and governance, I will give that award to Prof. Ishaq Oloyede.

“If Oloyede is to be president, Nigeria will be a better country.

“He has been a model for transparency, accountability, and diligence,” he said.