BSU Targets Top Spot in 2025 NATAP-M Awards

Editor 2 weeks agoLast Updated: March 3, 2025

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By DAYO ADESULU

Borno State University (BSU) has reaffirmed its commitment to becoming a top contender in the 2025 National Tertiary Admissions Performance – Merit Awards (NATAP-M), an annual recognition program organized by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). The institution is working diligently to build on its past achievements and secure a higher ranking in the upcoming awards.

BSU’s Strong Performance in Previous NATAP-M Awards

In the combined 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 editions of the NATAP-M Awards, BSU emerged third in the consolidated award category. The university’s outstanding performance earned it nine aggregate points and a ₦25 million cash prize. Encouraged by this success, BSU is intensifying its efforts to climb to the top spot in the next edition.

Vice-Chancellor Prof. Babagana Gutti Outlines Strategic Plans

BSU’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babagana Gutti, expressed the university’s determination to achieve this goal during a thank-you visit to JAMB Headquarters in Bwari on February 25, 2025. Leading a delegation of the university’s management team, he reiterated BSU’s unwavering commitment to academic excellence and admissions transparency.

Prof. Gutti highlighted BSU’s early adoption of JAMB’s Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS), which was introduced in 2017. He noted that his extensive experience with CAPS, alongside his previous tenure at the University of Maiduguri, would give BSU a strategic edge in the 2023/2024 edition of the NATAP-M Awards.

The Vice-Chancellor also emphasized that the university would continue implementing policies to enhance admissions integrity and efficiency, aligning with JAMB’s broader goals for Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.

BSU Calls for WAEC and NECO Result Integration

Beyond its ambitions for the NATAP-M Awards, Prof. Gutti advocated for the integration of West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examinations Council (NECO) results into a centralized verification system. He stressed that such a move would help:

Enhance the credibility of the admission process.
Eliminate the use of fake results in university applications.
Streamline the verification process for institutions and examination bodies.

He further suggested that a more synchronized system between JAMB, WAEC, and NECO would significantly reduce fraudulent activities in Nigeria’s education sector.

Commendation for JAMB’s Transformational Leadership

During the visit, Prof. Gutti also took the opportunity to commend JAMB’s Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, for his visionary leadership and reforms. He praised the remarkable transformations introduced under Prof. Oloyede’s administration, particularly the automation of the admission process and the introduction of CAPS, which has greatly reduced corruption and irregularities.

The Vice-Chancellor also acknowledged JAMB’s efforts in promoting fairness and transparency in admissions, stating that BSU was committed to supporting these initiatives.

JAMB Acknowledges BSU’s Role in CAPS Development

In response, JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, welcomed the delegation and commended Prof. Gutti’s significant contributions to the early success of CAPS. He highlighted that Prof. Gutti was among the pioneers who supported CAPS during its inception, helping to establish it as a reliable admissions processing tool.

Prof. Oloyede recalled that prior to the introduction of CAPS, the admissions process in Nigeria was plagued by corruption and fraudulent practices. He noted that CAPS has since revolutionized the system, making university admissions more transparent and efficient.

JAMB’s Commitment to Result Verification and Education Reform

Addressing Prof. Gutti’s proposal for result integration, Prof. Oloyede reiterated the necessity of mandatory verification of Advanced Level (A-level) results. He explained that while JAMB’s primary mandate does not include result verification, the Board had to intervene to curb the increasing use of fake certificates in tertiary admissions.

He reassured the BSU delegation that JAMB remains committed to ensuring credibility, fairness, and integrity in Nigeria’s education sector. He also pledged continued support and collaboration with BSU and other institutions to drive innovation and improvement in tertiary education.

Conclusion

As Borno State University prepares for the 2025 NATAP-M Awards, it is implementing strategic initiatives to improve its ranking. With its proactive adoption of CAPS, commitment to result verification, and dedication to academic excellence, BSU is positioning itself as a leading institution in Nigeria’s tertiary education landscape.

Through ongoing collaboration with JAMB, the university is set to enhance its admissions process, reduce fraud, and drive positive change in the education sector.