JAMB backs Sierra Leone’s centralised, tech-driven tertiary institutions admissions system

…Oloyede applauds Sierra Leone’s inclusive reform drive

 

As Sierra Leone seeks to modernise admissions into its tertiary institutions, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has pledged support for the country’s proposed centralised, tech-driven system, citing its potential to enhance credibility, fairness, and operational efficiency.

JAMB pledged a high-level stakeholder engagement organised by Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE) in Freetown.

Fabian Benjamin, JAMB’s public communication advisor, disclosed this in a statement, when he said the engagement followed a recent visit by a Sierra Leonean delegation led by Sarjoh Aziz-Kamara, the deputy minister of technical and higher education to Nigeria, where they understudied the operations of Nigeria’s centralised admissions framework during JAMB’s annual policy meeting.

The visit subsequently led to the approval of a technical support mission by the Nigerian ministry of education to assist Sierra Leone in designing and implementing its own admissions system.

Ramatulai Wurie, Sierra Leone’s minister of technical and higher education, speaking at the engagement, disclosed that the proposed centralised admissions system (CAS) had already secured cabinet approval and derives legal backing from the Universities Act of 2021.

“The reform is aimed at addressing inefficiencies associated with the current decentralized admissions process while providing a unified digital platform for universities and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions across the country,” Wurie said.

Besides, Wurie explained that the initiative is being implemented through extensive collaboration with key national institutions, 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.

She emphasised that Sierra Leone’s objective is not to replicate another country’s model but to adapt proven global best practices to suit its unique educational environment.

Moreover, the minister expressed appreciation to Tunji Alausa, Nigeria’s minister of education for facilitating JAMB’s technical support, describing the partnership as crucial to the successful restructuring of Sierra Leone’s admissions system.

Meanwhile, Ishaq Oloyede, registrar of JAMB, has applauded Sierra Leone for adopting an inclusive and consultative approach to education reform, describing stakeholder engagement as critical to the success and sustainability of policy changes.

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He said reforms are more effective when governments carry key actors along and build consensus around proposed changes.

He noted that Nigeria established its centralised admissions system in 1978 to address challenges similar to those currently confronting Sierra Leone and assured stakeholders of JAMB’s continued technical support throughout the implementation process.

Oloyede stressed that the goal is not to export the Nigerian model wholesale but to support Sierra Leone in developing a system suited to its national realities while benefiting from decades of practical experience in admissions administration.

The Nigerian delegation included Wahab Egbewole, the chairman of the Association of West African Universities (AWAU); Fabian Benjamin, JAMB’s public communication advisor; Ashura Abdullahi, deputy director of operations; Oluwaseyi Bada, data analyst; and Prince Kalu, social media content provider.

The visit marks a sustained milestone in educational cooperation between Nigeria and Sierra Leone and reinforces the commitment of both countries to expanding access to quality higher education through innovation, transparency, and institutional collaboration.