The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced the scrapping of the use of scratch cards in any of its transactions and services.

This is even as the Registrar/Chief Executive of the exam body, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, described the use as “archaic”, in a statement issued by the Spokesperson of JAMB, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, on Sunday in Abuja.

According to him, JAMB would be using the platform of pin vending to check all forms of fraudulent practices which was prevalent with the use of scratch cards.
His words: “The decision is as a result of its consistent subjection to fraudulent practices, the use of scratch cards is archaic and it is the drive by JAMB to also promote accountability in line with government’s zero tolerance for corruption.

This new system will be accessible through the options of web payment, ATM issued cards (Visa, verve and Mastercard), online quick teller, ATM payment, quick teller mobile application and Bank B.ranch case/card”.
The Punchquoted Oloyede, in a paper delivered during a meeting of the Association of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, as pleading with the Federal Government to revert to the former system where serving Vice Chancellors of Universities were made chairmen of the Governing Board of JAMB.

The JAMB Registrar said years ago, the understanding was that only serving Vice-Chancellors were made chairmen of Governing Board of JAMB.

While appealing that government should go back to the practice from inception, Oloyede added that since the agency is a creation of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors, it would only be proper for them to be clearly recognised as active stakeholders to avoid any acrimony between tertiary institutions and JAMB.

The professor believed that going back to the old practices would “engender good synergies and harmonious relationship with a view to effectively delivering on its mandates.”