Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, has emerged as the overall winner of the 2025 JAMB National Tertiary Admissions Performance-Merit Awards (NATAP-M), clinching a N500 million Mega Award from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
The recognition covers performance in the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 admission sessions, making ABU the top-performing tertiary institution nationwide based on strict performance indicators.
🏆 Why ABU Won the JAMB Mega Award
ABU secured an aggregate of 14 points across all five award categories, making it the best institution overall. These categories assess:
- National spread of admissions
- Transparency in the admission process
- Gender balance
- Admission of international students
- Admission of underprivileged groups
The award is part of JAMB’s push to encourage merit, national inclusiveness, and integrity in the admission process across Nigerian tertiary institutions.
💰 What the Award Includes
- Cash Prize: N500 million
- Recognition: Official certificate of merit
- Institutional Prestige: National validation of ABU’s inclusive and transparent admission policies
🗣️ What the Leaders Said
Prof. Is-haq Oloyede — JAMB Registrar
He described the NATAP-M awards as a strategic effort to:
- Promote national unity through diverse admissions
- Encourage female participation in higher education
- Motivate institutions to improve admission practices
- Foster healthy competition across Nigerian universities
Prof. Suwaiba Ahmed — Minister of State for Education
Presented the N500 million cheque and congratulated ABU on maintaining excellence and equity in admission.
Prof. Adamu Ahmed — Vice-Chancellor, ABU
While receiving the award, the VC expressed deep appreciation:
“We thank JAMB for this honour. We will continue to improve and ensure our university rises in global rankings.”
He also acknowledged the role of ABU’s Governing Council, Senate, and alumni in reaching this milestone.
🎓 Who Was Present at the Award Ceremony?
- JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede
- Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmed
- ABU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adamu Ahmed
- Governing Council Members: Prof. Mato D. Dogara & Dr. Claris Ujah
- Registrar, ABU: Malam Rabiu Samaila
- Admissions Officer: Malam Mohammed Aminu Garba
- Other top officials of JAMB
🧠 About the NATAP-M Award
The National Tertiary Admissions Performance-Merit Award is an annual initiative by JAMB to:
- Reward integrity, equity, and transparency in admissions
- Encourage universities to admit students from all parts of Nigeria
- Reduce gender disparity in tertiary admissions
- Inspire institutions to attract international students
- Create a merit-driven and inclusive higher education system
With this award, ABU Zaria has reaffirmed its position as a national leader in inclusive and transparent admissions. The N500 million prize is expected to boost institutional development and inspire other universities to embrace similar standards of excellence.
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