JAMB Supports Sierra Leone’s Drive Towards A Centralised Admission System – Independent Newspaper Nigeria

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Nigeria, has reaffirmed its commitment to support the Government of Sierra Leone in establishing a transparent, efficient, and technology-driven Centralised Admissions System (CAS) for tertiary institutions across the country.

The assurance was given during a high-level stakeholder engagement convened by the Sierra Leone Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE) at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Freetown, as part of ongoing efforts to reform the nation’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 the operations of Nigeria’s centralised 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 experiences and implementation strategies. In her address, the Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Dr Haja Ramatulai Wurie, disclosed that the proposed Centralised Admissions System had received Cabinet approval and is backed by the Universities Act of 2021.

She explained that the reform would address inefficiencies associated with the current decentralised admissions process and provide a unified digital platform for universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions. Dr Wurie emphasised that the initiative is being implemented through collaboration with key national stakeholders, including the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC), the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA), the National Telecommunications Authority (NATCA), the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, and other technology partners.

According to her, Sierra Leone’s objective is not to replicate another country’s model but to adapt proven global best practices to its unique educational environment. She thanked her counterpart, the Nigerian Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, for the tremendous support to Sierra Leone, as she stated that the establishment of the Centralised Admissions System would restructure the admissions process in the country.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister Sarjoh Aziz-Kamara described the reform as a major step towards transparency, accountability, efficiency, and fairness in higher education admissions. He disclosed that the Cabinet had approved the establishment of a Centralised Admissions Secretariat within the Ministry to oversee admissions through a unified digital platform.

The stakeholder engagement attracted broad participation and support from across Sierra Leone’s education sector, including the Permanent Secretary of MTHE, Mohamed Sheick Kargbo; Chief Technical and Higher Education Officer, Dr. Josephus Brimah; Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Conrad Sackey; Chairman of the Conference of Vice-Chancellors and Principals, Prof. Edwin J.J. Momoh; Chairman of the Conference of Principals, Peter J. Sandy; Head of WAEC Sierra Leone, Matilda Jusu; representative of TEC, Prof. Osman Sankoh; Director of Corporate and Industry Affairs of NATCA, Abdul Ben Foday; Director-General of NCRA, Mohamed Massaquoi; Director of Higher Education, Emmanuel J. Momoh Esq.; and Deputy Chief Technical and Higher Education Officer, Sia Fasuluku.

A major highlight of the engagement was JAMB’s presentation of a comprehensive framework for establishing a national digital admissions architecture capable of enhancing transparency, eliminating duplication, improving data integrity, and strengthening educational planning.