Economic hardship: Reps ask JAMB to extend UTME registration by two weeks

The house of of representatives has asked the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to extend the deadline for the registration of the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) by two weeks.

The green chamber passed the resolution after the adoption of a motion sponsored by Bello Shinkafi, a lawmaker from Zamfara state.

The registration for the 2024 UTME commenced on January 15 and ended on February 26. The matriculation examination is scheduled to take place between April 19 to 29.

While moving the motion, Shinkafi said there was a need to extend the registration deadline because of the “painful economic situation prevailing” in the country.

He said the economic situation has constrained “many families” from registering their wards before the deadline.

“The online registration which constituted a setback to non-conversant candidates who anticipated the examination participation could not achieve this core objective because of imminent deadline which requires your legislative attention and intervention,” the lawmaker told the house.

He said without an extension of the registration, many candidates will not be able to register and participate in the examination.

Shinkafi said the two-week extension will encourage parents to register their children for the UTME.

“This will reassure the public on the confidence in this current administration,” he said.

The motion was adopted when it was put to a voice vote by Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house.