The University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) in Kwara State has emerged as the best institution at the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) National Tertiary Admissions’ Performance-Merit Award (NATAP-M Award) for 2021 and 2022.

The ceremony was held during the 2024 JAMB policy meeting and 4th edition of the NATAP-M Award in Abuja on Thursday, July 18, 2024.

UNILORIN was awarded N500 million prize after securing 12 points in the overall category of five elements of the award.

Ahmed Bello University, Zaria in Kaduna State emerged as second best institution with 11 points and got a cash prize of N75 million while Borno State University came third with nine points, receiving a cash prize of N50 million.

Kaduna Polytechnic in Kaduna State emerged as the best polytechnic with 12 points and got N50 million prize at the sectoral awards while Federal College of Education, Zaria emerged as the best College of Education with 11 points and won N50 million prize in the year under review.

For Innovation Enterprise Institutions, PEFTI Film Institute in Lagos emerged winner with six points and a cash prize of N10 million.

JAMB ranking: Again, UNILORIN emerges most preferred varsity

Speaking at the event, the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, said the overall award prize was increased to N750 million to help the winner achieve tangible results with the money.

Oloyede said any institution that emerged overall winner cannot win it again until after five years to enable the price to go round.

He added that JAMB, in 2014, remitted over N3.5 billion to the federal government and also set aside the N750 million that should be given to the winning institutions.

The Deputy Senate President, Jibril Barau, in his remarks, said the ceremony not only celebrated collective achievements but also served as a testament to the unwavering dedication.

Barau added that it also served as hard work and promotion of excellence which he said had become the hallmarks of the nation’s tertiary admission processes.

JAMB also gave recognition awards to the former Executive Secretary of NUC, Prof. Emeritus Okebukola; the National Coordinator of UBEC Digital Resource Centre, Prof. Baahir Galadanci; and two others for their contribution to the education sector.

Speaking on behalf of the awardees, Okebukola thanked God and JAMB.

The Star