JAMB denies DE candidates registration over change of name

Direct Entry candidates have decried the decision of Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede for barring those with change of name access to further their education.

The Press reports that change of name is a process where individual formally moves their identity in newspapers with special emphasis that all documents with previous details remain valid.

Adeniyi Adeyemi-Reuben, formerly Segbe Adeyemi Reuben, had on April 2017 sought a change of name based on documents provided to our correspondent on Wednesday.

He said, “I can’t register for JAMB simply because I did a change of surname after my first degree. Even those with maiden names who did change of surname because of marriage can’t register. I met about three of them at JAMB office in Lagos and even saw one who complained at JAMB headquarters in Abuja.”

Explaining further, Segbe disclosed, “Yet, JAMB is not doing anything about it despite my formal complaint.

Is JAMB saying it’s wrong to change your name in this country even if you have a genuine reason for it? JAMB is claiming people use fake certificates. I can prove beyond reasonable doubt that my certificates are genuine. My second degree, my NIN, tax clearance, Nigerian passport, and working ID card all have the new name. Why is it now wrong for me to register for another course through direct entry?”

Investigations conducted by The PUNCH across the Board’s social media platforms, and candidates’ posts indicated huge lament on the challenges they have faced.

On X, formerly Twitter JAMB, on its account @JAMBHQ on May 10, a tweep, Chinwe Okafor @pradrech1, decried her inability to register.

“Please I’ve already purchased DE pin but cannot proceed with registration due to my change of name by marriage. Kindly assist me. Thanks,” she said.

Also, Uche Oyeka @OyekaUche added.

“I have the same issue, I was instructed to go do another change of name back to my median name (NIN). Please @JAMBHQ we really need clarification on this. I haven’t been able to register and registration is ending today.”

Reacting in a telephone interview with journalists , the Spokesman for JAMB, Fabian Benjamin, noted that he was unaware of the difficulty of Direct Entry candidates to register especially those with change of name.

Benjamin said, “I’m not aware.”

Asked if there are things JAMB would do to rectify the cases since The PUNCH had presented it, Benjamin said, “I said I’m not aware, how will I know something that is being done to when I said I’m not aware? Will I be providing solution to something am not aware of? Candidates are registering for our examination I’m not aware of any other thing. If you sent your details and they are not tallying I don’t know what you want me to do.”

“If your name is Benjamin and you are bringing document bearing another name then you are not the candidate certainly you will not be registered. If you have graduated from ABU for instance and your name is Austin and all of a sudden you are coming with John Bosco how are we going to register you, what happened that you are changing your name in between, you must prove to us, we must understand why the name change.

“Most of the time you collect someone’s certificate and you want to legalise it through us, their schools should identify them,” Benjamin added.