JAMB: Understanding Ojerinde's Innovative Leadership

By Philip Agbese

Of all the government agencies and parastatals, the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) ranks among those that have been responsive to innovating to meeting the changes and challenges that evolved with time. Arguably, the larger part of this responsiveness took place under the watch of Professor Dibu Ojerinde as the Registrar of the examination body.

There was a time when the brochure that accompanied the application forms was large enough to constitute a course of study on its own. In those days, one would have to go through the tedious process of completing the forms with the least amount of errors as possible – too many errors and you have a form that cannot be used and the window for the sale of forms might have closed. Eraser and correcting fluid were good companions to have at hand while completing the forms at that time.

Then JAMB introduced online application. It was resisted. It was condemned. It was poorly understood. People wanted to continue applying for the examination the old way. Fears were expressed as to the risk of applicants completing the online form and still not have their names on the list of those to write the examination. Of course, there were hitches that were resolved as there was better understanding of the system over time. It must be noted that what some called hitches were errors made on the part of some applicants as they complete the online application. Today, applying online is taken for granted.

Then there was notification of result. Those who wrote JAMB in the nineties can attest to those many trips to the local post office to check for the arrival of their result slips or their none-arrival. Those were painful years when one could score high marks in the examination and lose out on admission because it took forever to know about the score. This was after it would have taken JAMB the better part of three months to release results. But in the mould of Professor Ojerinde’s penchant for innovation, advancement in technology was deployed to make it possible for candidates to get access their result using interactive platforms like SMS short codes. Again, there were hues and cries. People questioned the cost. We queried the authenticity of the results. But ultimately came to realise that it was one innovation tertiary institution applicants needed.

Talking about saving costs, we used to write Universities Matriculation Examination (UME) after buying the form for the particular examination. As a sort of insurance, prospective tertiary students will hedge their option with the Monotechnic, Polytechnic, and Colleges of Education Examination (MPCE) and also pay for another round of forms. Candidates then read for both examinations with slightly varied syllabi and possibly travel to two different locations on different dates for the tests. It takes the innovativeness of an Ojerinde to replace both tests with the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and save all stakeholders the hassles. But as usual, people kicked against the innovation that ensured candidates write one single examination and have shots at institutions across board.
The most recent is the Computer Based Test (CBT) that became universal for all UTME candidates after pilot phases of it being optional. Even at the pilot phase, people had tried to shoot down this innovation, which was no surprise given our history as a people who dread change. As Andrew Smith aptly put it, “People fear what they don't understand and hate what they can't conquer.”

Similar to the previous turning points, the CBT for 2016 had its hitches and one expects that JAMB would act on all reported cases of glitches since it has shown the needed responsiveness under other circumstances before. While JAMB as an institution is responding to these issues, Professor Ojerinde must make sure he remains unbowed as he should be used to the kind of hullabaloo that follow in the wake of the series of innovations he has brought to JAMB.

The advice became necessary given the scale of coordinated protests that have been organised to cast aspersion on the recently concluded examination in efforts to see the use of CBT dropped. When there is room for refining the process and system for efficiency it would be counterproductive to bow to the wishes of owners of miracles centres, who have been identified as being the brain behind the protests. The CBT means JAMB has in addition to other benefits been able to break the circle of cheating that the miracle centres typified.

Those who understand Professor Ojerinde’s innovative leadership at JAMB would appreciate the need to ensure that his landmark achievements are national assets that must be maintained and possibly modified for adaptation by agencies to which it will be beneficial. His true worth as a leader is thus his role as a pathfinder for other agencies that are in need of innovation. This is what those who have genuine interest in the quality of education available in Nigeria must find ways of tapping into. His creativity in managing how people get into tertiary schools could be explored for improving how students learn in our ivory towers. Then we would have put this understanding of this man’s innovative leadership to good use.

Agbese is an international affairs analyst based in the United Kingdom.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/03/jamb-understanding-ojerindes-innovative-leadership/

Summary.................

loll..na only this picture the man get .every time.


na back to topic. The man has tried. And I don't think students are clamouring for the removal of the CBT. The protest held was misinterpreted. Yes,there were a lot of hitches this year but last year was fully computer based test and the complains were not much. I don't no why the idea of going back to the ppt. That's baldadash


The protest is mainly for the low and outrageous scores. How do they explain someone who scored about 250 last year only to intensify efforts and end up getting 178 this year .note that this was a common problem. how about the addition of 40marks to some candidates how do you explain that . The same error they complained of also happened to many yet there scores cant qualify them to sit for post ume .


Why should students protest for the scrap of CBT? no one want to write again. They protest for a remark! scraping the CBT won't add to their marks. so why protest on the that. abeg I don tire to type.

if JAMB can't remark ,then they should reduce the cut off further so that many will be able to sit for the post ume and prove their worth or better still add the 40 marks to everybody.

cc : lalasticlala fynestboi seun .

xender:
loll..na only this picture the man get .every time.


na back to topic. The man has tried. And I don't think students are clamouring for the removal of the CBT. The protest held was misinterpreted. Yes,there were a lot of hitches this year but last year was fully computer based test and the complains were not much. I don't no why the idea of going back to the ppt. That's baldadash


The protest is mainly for the low and outrageous scores. How do they explain someone who scored about 250 last year only to intensify efforts and end up getting 178 this year .note that this was a common problem. how about the addition of 40marks to some candidates how do you explain that . The same error they complained of also happened to many yet there scores cant qualify them to sit for post ume .


Why should students protest for the scrap of CBT? no one want to write again. They protest for a remark! scraping the CBT won't add to their marks. so why protest on the that. abeg I don tire to type.

if JAMB can't remark ,then they should reduce the cut off further so that many will be able to sit for the post ume and prove their worth or better still add the 40 marks to everybody.

cc : lalasticlala fynestboi seun .

This is just it. We don't want CBT scrapped,just remark the examination. If you can't, then reduce the cut-off mark so we can write Post UTME. I won't be surprised if I see people scoring higher in Post UTME than those who passed them in JAMB.

DrayZee:

This is just it. We don't want CBT scrapped,just remark the examination. If you can't, then reduce the cut-off mark so we can write Post UTME. I won't be surprised if I see people scoring higher in Post UTME than those who passed them in JAMB.

exactly.

emmyw:
Summary.................

Seconded!

Jamb should be scraped

The story dey INCONCLUSIVE!

ok

omajagaban:
only those that failed are complaining

yes ..because they were wrongly scored.

Something need to be done about this year's exam. My younger brother that past Jamb and UNIBEN post ume last year but couldn't get his preferred course of sturdy, prepared like mad for this exam had 174.

The painfull thing is that he didn't even pass any subject, had forthy something in all the subjects.

It is no shame if jamb swallow their pride and remark the scores.

c

phyllosilicate:
K

Scrap JAMB or post UME. Either will do. Period.

Us wey read and passed we no dey complain...

Beehshorp:
Us wey read and passed we no dey complain...

you were just lucky and that's the truth.

I wan book space before I read this novel

That is an assumed success

Hmmmmm .FOR UNIBEN ASPIRANTS... congratulations to you who have passed your jamb .congratulations in advance in your Postume and congratulations in your admission and more sweetly congratulations in your matriculation.incase you choose UNIBEN am here for you ask me any question and we can as well be friends 08020835264 or whatssap me on 08160908587

Jus lyk Baddo Sneh wil say "Enyimba can never play in UEFA" to say that is or that is to say JAMB no fit compete with foreign Exam Board when it comes to technology so why Dibu wan dey run pass him destiny?. I got 178 and til the end of time i feel like it magic!, after all those murdering those extra-simple question, I was still score-robbed dnt mind that phrase though.

God is not wicked, only pray let the devil not use u as his agent!. Dibu na God go judge you if corrections aren't made to this.

jamb cbt exams is rubbish, Nigerian ICT has not matured up to that level.

jeremyliness:
JAMB: Understanding Ojerinde's Innovative Leadership

By Philip Agbese

Of all the government agencies and parastatals, the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) ranks among those that have been responsive to innovating to meeting the changes and challenges that evolved with time. Arguably, the larger part of this responsiveness took place under the watch of Professor Dibu Ojerinde as the Registrar of the examination body.

There was a time when the brochure that accompanied the application forms was large enough to constitute a course of study on its own. In those days, one would have to go through the tedious process of completing the forms with the least amount of errors as possible – too many errors and you have a form that cannot be used and the window for the sale of forms might have closed. Eraser and correcting fluid were good companions to have at hand while completing the forms at that time.

Then JAMB introduced online application. It was resisted. It was condemned. It was poorly understood. People wanted to continue applying for the examination the old way. Fears were expressed as to the risk of applicants completing the online form and still not have their names on the list of those to write the examination. Of course, there were hitches that were resolved as there was better understanding of the system over time. It must be noted that what some called hitches were errors made on the part of some applicants as they complete the online application. Today, applying online is taken for granted.

Then there was notification of result. Those who wrote JAMB in the nineties can attest to those many trips to the local post office to check for the arrival of their result slips or their none-arrival. Those were painful years when one could score high marks in the examination and lose out on admission because it took forever to know about the score. This was after it would have taken JAMB the better part of three months to release results. But in the mould of Professor Ojerinde’s penchant for innovation, advancement in technology was deployed to make it possible for candidates to get access their result using interactive platforms like SMS short codes. Again, there were hues and cries. People questioned the cost. We queried the authenticity of the results. But ultimately came to realise that it was one innovation tertiary institution applicants needed.

Talking about saving costs, we used to write Universities Matriculation Examination (UME) after buying
form for the particular examination. As a sort of insurance, prospective tertiary students will hedge their option with the Monotechnic, Polytechnic, and Colleges of Education Examination (MPCE) and also pay for another round of forms. Candidates then read for both examinations with slightly varied syllabi and possibly travel to two different locations on different dates for the tests. It takes the innovativeness of an Ojerinde to replace both tests with the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and save all stakeholders the hassles. But as usual, people kicked against the innovation that ensured candidates write one single examination and have shots at institutions across board.
The most recent is the Computer Based Test (CBT) that became universal for all UTME candidates after pilot phases of it being optional. Even at the pilot phase, people had tried to shoot down this innovation, which was no surprise given our history as a people who dread change. As Andrew Smith aptly put it, “People fear what they don't understand and hate what they can't conquer.”

Similar to the previous turning points, the CBT for 2016 had its hitches and one expects that JAMB would act on all reported cases of glitches since it has shown the needed responsiveness under other circumstances before. While JAMB as an institution is responding to these issues, Professor Ojerinde must make sure he remains unbowed as he should be used to the kind of hullabaloo that follow in the wake of the series of innovations he has brought to JAMB.

The advice became necessary given the scale of coordinated protests that have been organised to cast aspersion on the recently concluded examination in efforts to see the use of CBT dropped. When there is room for refining the process and system for efficiency it would be counterproductive to bow to the wishes of owners of miracles centres, who have been identified as being the brain behind the protests. The CBT means JAMB has in addition to other benefits been able to break the circle of cheating that the miracle centres typified.

Those who understand Professor Ojerinde’s innovative leadership at JAMB would appreciate the need to ensure that his landmark achievements are national assets that must be maintained and possibly modified for adaptation by agencies to which it will be beneficial. His true worth as a leader is thus his role as a pathfinder for other agencies that are in need of innovation. This is what those who have genuine interest in the quality of education available in Nigeria must find ways of tapping into. His creativity in managing how people get into tertiary schools could be explored for improving how students learn in our ivory towers. Then we would have put this understanding of this man’s innovative leadership to good use.

Agbese is an international affairs analyst based in the United Kingdom.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/03/jamb-understanding-ojerindes-innovative-leadership/

Wetin dis one de talk? Ok just like 10yrs ago when GSM
was exclusive to the rich, and now almost anyone can have it. In those days jamb was using a manual method of doing things. You don't expect jamb to be using same method in this era. The thing is if you are changing it has to be from bad to good or good to better as the case may be. Prof. has failed to prove that cbt is better than ppt in Nigeria. Jamb has outlived its usefulness. Besides how many countries of the world still operate a single examination body for tertiary institutions. He made cbt look better last few yrs so that pple will support his idea of cbt. He will tell you malpractice has been stopped-heavy lies. It has only been reduced. But you can't equate the reduction to the injustice the cbt is creating.
My opinion-let jamb exam be scrapped. Jamb's duty will be to monitor admidsion processes in different institutions. This has been my position even before the introduction of cbt.

reduce cut off reduce cut off, should the cut off be reduced to 100 from 180 to satisfy all.
Jamb is more like one sperm racing a million more to fertilise an egg.

I believe the issue with this year's JAMB CBT is basically software or Server Malfunction. It's highly probable the new scoring algorithm malfunctioned or was sabotaged by an Insider or Hackers.

Re-marking the test would not help as some of the records would have been compromised.

Recommended Solutions:
OPTION 1: JAMB should reschedule the exams and spread the timetable out over two weeks to ensure completion by Mid-April. This is after a thorough investigation analysis would have pin-pointed the issue. Else, revert to the 2015 software until the problem with the new software is identified and sorted;

OPTION 2: Universities should invite all their prospective applicants who applied with them write a well-monitored post-UTME and give the results up to 70% weight in the aggregate score, or completely ignore the UTME Scores for this season.

OPTION 3: JAMB should allow candidates enjoy the better score of their last three UTMEs, or the average as their effective JAMB Score for admission purposes. I also recommend JAMB should commence making the exams available twice yearly and increase to thrice or four times over the next three years. The will make the exam reduce from a do-or-die event. The candidate should be entitled to use her/his average of the last three exams as the effective JAMB Score for cut-off considerations.

I sincerely believe these measures will add value to the lofty objectives of JAMB CBT and reduce the impact of errors, luck, gambling and other deficiencies of multiple choice exams as a true test of knowledge.

From all what I have heard and seen thus far this year's exam is a sham.... This man should just throw in the towel already, it's quite glaring he conducted a bad exam this time around, he has overstayed his welcome in my opinion. Thank God say me nor dey write jamb again sha.

Wakes up,Yawns, cleans eyes with back of my hands and spread mat to read comments cox av gat no time to read this jamb story volume two.... O.p next time u dey write to Nigerians abeg summarise am cox we no like long grammar... Quote me at your peril...

klbakare:
jamb cbt exams is rubbish, Nigerian ICT has not matured up to that level.

When are we going to get it right if we don't start now Let's accept this early shortcomings. Every innovation is always accompanied by initial errors and skepticisms until it is institutionalized.

Nice write-up.

But playing tango with the future of young Nigerians is just not good enough.

Option 2 is the best, it is easy and cost less. And unis will do putme anyway. They do not believe in jamb score.

HomoDroid:
I believe the issue with this year's JAMB CBT is basically software or Server Malfunction. It's highly probable the new scoring algorithm malfunctioned or was sabotaged by an Insider or Hackers.
Re-marking the test would not help as some of the records would have been compromised.
Recommended Solutions:
OPTION 1: JAMB should reschedule the exams and spread the timetable out over two weeks to ensure completion by Mid-April. This is after a thorough investigation analysis would have pin-pointed the issue. Else, revert to the 2015 software until the problem with the new software is identified and sorted;
OPTION 2: Universities should invite all their prospective applicants who applied with them write a well-monitored post-UTME and give the results up to 70% weight in the aggregate score, or completely ignore the UTME Scores for this season.
OPTION 3: JAMB should allow candidates enjoy the better score of their last three UTMEs, or the average as their effective JAMB Score for admission purposes. I also recommend JAMB should commence making the exams available twice yearly and increase to thrice or four times over the next three years. The will make the exam reduce from a do-or-die event. The candidate should be entitled to use her/his average of the last three exams as the effective JAMB Score for cut-off considerations.
I sincerely believe these measures will add value to the lofty objectives of JAMB CBT and reduce the impact of errors, luck, gambling and other deficiencies of multiple choice exams as a true test of knowledge.

See Baba's watch. That's how he turn our scores UPSIDE DOWN