JAMB backs Sierra Leone’s unified admission system
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Nigeria, has reaffirmed its support for the Government of Sierra Leone in establishing a transparent, efficient, and technology-driven Centralized Admissions System (CAS) for tertiary institutions.
The assurance was given during a stakeholder engagement organised by the Sierra Leone Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE) in Freetown as part of reforms to improve the country’s higher education admissions process.
The engagement followed an earlier visit by a Sierra Leonean delegation led by the Deputy Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Sarjoh Aziz-Kamara, to Nigeria, where they observed Nigeria’s centralized admissions model during JAMB’s Annual Policy Meeting.
Following the visit, Nigeria’s Minister of Education approved a technical mission by JAMB to Sierra Leone to share practical experience and implementation strategies.
In her address, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Haja Ramatulai Wurie, said the proposed system has received Cabinet approval and is backed by the Universities Act of 2021.
She said the reform will address inefficiencies in the current admissions process by introducing a unified digital platform for universities and TVET institutions.
According to the minister, the initiative is being developed in collaboration with key agencies, including the Tertiary Education Commission, WAEC, NCRA, NATCA, and other partners, noting that Sierra Leone aims to adapt global best practices to its local context.
Deputy Minister Sarjoh Aziz-Kamara described the reform as a step toward improving transparency, accountability, and fairness in admissions.
He said Cabinet has also approved the creation of a Centralized Admissions Secretariat to manage the process.
Addressing stakeholders, JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, commended the Sierra Leone government for its approach and assured continued technical support. He said Nigeria’s own centralized admissions system, established in 1978, was introduced to solve similar challenges.
He added that JAMB’s role is to support Sierra Leone in designing a system suited to its needs while sharing practical experience from Nigeria’s model.
The engagement also featured a presentation by JAMB on a framework for a digital admissions system aimed at improving transparency, reducing duplication, and strengthening data integrity.