The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Government of Sierra Leone in developing a transparent, technology-driven, and efficient Centralised Admissions System (CAS) for tertiary institutions across the country.
The assurance was given during a high-level stakeholder engagement organised by Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE) in Freetown. According to a statement issued in Abuja by JAMB’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin, the meeting forms part of ongoing efforts to modernise and strengthen the country’s higher education admissions process.
The engagement followed an earlier visit by a delegation from Sierra Leone, led by the Deputy Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Sarjoh Aziz-Kamara, to Nigeria. During the visit, the delegation observed the operations of Nigeria’s centralised admissions system at JAMB’s Annual Policy Meeting. Following the successful engagement, Nigeria’s Minister of Education approved a technical support mission by JAMB to Sierra Leone to share expertise and practical implementation strategies.
Speaking at the event, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Dr Haja Ramatulai Wurie, revealed that the proposed Centralised Admissions System had already secured Cabinet approval and is supported by provisions contained in the Universities Act of 2021. She explained that the initiative is aimed at eliminating challenges associated with the current decentralised admissions structure by introducing a unified digital platform for universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions.
Dr Wurie noted that the reform is being implemented through collaboration with several key stakeholders, including the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC), the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA), the National Telecommunications Authority (NATCA), the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, and various technology partners.
She stressed that Sierra Leone’s goal is not to duplicate another nation’s admissions framework but rather to adapt proven international best practices to meet the country’s unique educational needs and realities.
The minister also expressed appreciation to Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, for the support extended to Sierra Leone, describing the planned admissions system as a transformative step for the country’s higher education sector.
Also speaking at the engagement, Deputy Minister Sarjoh Aziz-Kamara described the initiative as a significant milestone that would improve transparency, accountability, efficiency, and fairness in the admissions process. He disclosed that the Cabinet had approved the creation of a Centralised Admissions Secretariat within the ministry to coordinate admissions through a single digital platform.
The event attracted extensive participation from stakeholders across Sierra Leone’s education sector, including senior government officials, university leaders, regulators, examination bodies, and representatives of relevant institutions involved in education and technology development.
One of the key highlights of the engagement was JAMB’s presentation of a detailed framework for establishing a national digital admissions architecture. The proposed framework is designed to improve transparency, prevent duplication, strengthen data integrity, and support more effective educational planning.
Addressing participants, JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, commended Sierra Leone for adopting an inclusive and consultative approach to the reform process. He explained that Nigeria introduced its own centralised admissions system in 1978 to address challenges similar to those currently facing Sierra Leone and assured stakeholders that JAMB would continue to provide technical support throughout the implementation phase.
Prof. Oloyede emphasized that the objective is not to transplant the Nigerian model directly but to assist Sierra Leone in developing a system tailored to its specific national context while benefiting from Nigeria’s decades of experience in admissions administration.
The Nigerian delegation to the engagement included the Chairman of the Association of West African Universities (AWAU), Prof. Wahab Egbewole, alongside senior JAMB officials and technical experts.
The visit represents another important step in strengthening educational cooperation between Nigeria and Sierra Leone, highlighting the shared commitment of both countries to improving access to quality higher education through innovation, transparency, and institutional partnership.
