The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that the registration for direct entry has been extended till a later date.

In an interview on Thursday, the board’s spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, said the decision to move the closing date for direct entry registration to a later date was to ensure no Nigerian child is denied access to quality higher education.

JAMB announced the commencement of the registration for the 2024 direct entry from February 28 to March 28. However, due to some factors, it extended the exercise by two weeks, bringing the closing date for the registration to April 11.

“Again, reports reaching us is that there is a surge by candidates, especially in Lagos, to beat this registration deadline.

“The board wants to call on all candidates yet to register for the DE to calm down, as the registration deadline has been extended again,” said Mr Benjamin.

He attributed the development to the ongoing UTME in centres nationwide.

“The board will soon announce a new date for the end of this year’s DE registration, so candidates should relax but ensure they register as soon as possible,” Mr Benjamin added.

Meanwhile, Mr Benjamin described the 2024 UTME, which commenced on Friday, April 19, as the best in the country’s history of public examinations.

“This year’s examination is adjudged to be the best in the annals of public examination in Africa by all standards, and I must say it has met the board’s expectations.

“As we finish the 2024 exercise, the board is looking at cases of candidates who could not be verified, and a position would be taken on its merit.

“All those who missed the examination on account of coming late and other related issues not connected to the fault of the board will have to try next time.

“Examination is only scheduled for candidates who were biometrically verified but unable to sit the examination,” he stated.

No less than 1.9 million candidates registered for this year’s UTME.

(NAN)