JAMB orders ABU to offer girl medicine after being accused of denying her the course because she is a Christian

The management of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) has been ordered by the Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede to grant one Miss Shekwobyalo admission in Medicine.

The order came after a review meeting with the representative of the Commissioner for Education in Niger State Bellu Attahiru, the Admission Officer of ABU Haruna Ali Mohammed, representatives of the Civil Society Organisations and top officials of the agency.

Miss Shekwobyalo who scored 309 in her UTME, had accused the management of the university of denying her admission in medicine because she is a Christian.

After the review meeting, it was found that she was not the best candidate from Niger state despite her 309 score in UTME. A breakdown of the top candidates from Niger State is as follows Isah Mujahid (UTME,296; Post-UTME, 303; and Average Score, 299); Hassan Ruqayyat Ndaisa (UTME,275; Post-UTME, 309; and Average Score, 292) and Thomas Goodness Shekwobyalo (UTME,309 ; Post-UTME, 274; and Average Score, 288).

Before giving out the order for Shekwobyalo to be offered Medicine, JAMB’s registrar told the management of ABU who pegged its Merit List at two candidates per state that it was wrong.

JAMB Registrar, Oloyede said;

“Contrary to insinuations, this meeting has shown that Shekwobyalo was not discriminated against on religious or ethnic basis.

“We discovered that she has changed her course from Medicine to Anatomy.
” I spoke with her but she said somebody called her to change to Anatomy. Up till now, she has not shown any evidence.
” We discovered that ABU did something wrong. They were distributing merit on state basis. They decided to offer Medicine to two candidates per state.
“One of the achievements of this meeting is how to legitimize her admission into Medicine( MBBS).
” We have decided to reverse her Anatomy admission. ABU should put her on notice that she has been offered to read Medicine. It is left to her to accept or reject.
“JAMB exists to ensure fairness and justice to all. I have addressed many similar cases in about seven universities without sensationalisation on the basis of religion or tribalism.”

Also speaking after the meeting, Director of Schools and Educational Services, Mr. Bello Attahiru who represented Niger State’s Commissioner for Education said;

” It is obvious she was not discriminated along based on religion. I will let the Niger State Government know the facts as laid down today. We thank JAMB for reversing her admission from Anatomy to Medicine.”

Though Shekwobyalo changed her course to Anatomy following a call/advisory she allegedly received from ABU, it was reversed to medicine and effected by the Admission Officer of ABU, Haruna Ali in the presence of stakeholders.