Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, has been awarded a N500 million Mega Award by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), emerging as the overall winner of the 5th edition of the National Tertiary Admissions Performance-Merit Awards (NATAP-M) for the combined 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 admission years.
According to a statement from the university’s public affairs directorate, ABU secured the top position as the best institution with a total of 14 points across all five elements considered in the Mega Award category.
The Honourable Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmed, presented the N500 million cheque and an award certificate to ABU’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adamu Ahmed. She was joined by the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede, and other senior officials of the board during the award ceremony.
Also present at the event were two members of ABU’s Governing Council, Prof. Mato D. Dogara and Dr. Claris Ujah, alongside the university’s Registrar, Malam Rabiu Samaila, and the Admissions Officer, Malam Mohammed Aminu Garba, who accompanied the Vice-Chancellor.
Speaking at the occasion, JAMB Registrar Prof. Oloyede explained that the NATAP-M award was established to promote national inclusiveness in admissions, enhance the international profile of Nigerian tertiary institutions, and foster national unity by encouraging universities to admit students from all parts of the country.
He added that the initiative aims to stimulate healthy competition among institutions, ensure transparency in the admissions process, and support gender equality by motivating more women to pursue higher education.
Receiving the award, Prof. Adamu Ahmed expressed deep appreciation to JAMB for the recognition, pledging that ABU would continue its efforts to ensure Nigerian universities achieve higher positions in global rankings.
The Vice-Chancellor also thanked the university’s Governing Council, Senate, and alumni community for their crucial roles in helping ABU attain this significant milestone.
