Former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has called on the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to ensure that students are not made to suffer due to administrative lapses in the registration process for its examinations.
Obi’s statement follows reports of persistent difficulties faced by candidates at various registration centres across the country, particularly at the Amawbia office of JAMB in Anambra State.
According to him, concerns were first raised last year after several Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres were reportedly proscribed for alleged infractions. This led to overcrowding, confusion, and extended waiting periods at state offices.
“While expectations were high that corrective measures would be implemented, my recent visit to the Amawbia office revealed that the same challenges still persist,” Obi said. He added that similar experiences have been reported in other states, with candidates continuing to grapple with delays and limited access to registration facilities.
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Obi acknowledged that the authorities may have legitimate reasons for sanctioning erring centres. However, he urged JAMB to adopt a more humane and balanced approach in managing the situation.
He suggested that centres under investigation could be allowed to offer limited services under strict monitoring, while previously approved centres could be temporarily reactivated to ease pressure on existing facilities.
With the registration deadline approaching, Obi warned that many students, particularly those traveling from distant communities, risk missing the examination due to administrative bottlenecks.
Reports indicate that some candidates have slept overnight in Awka to secure access to registration services.
“Students should not bear the consequences of systemic failures. Urgent and compassionate intervention is needed to ensure that no candidate’s academic future is jeopardised by avoidable administrative challenges,” he emphasized.
Obi’s call underscores growing concerns over the need for efficient, student-friendly processes in Nigeria’s educational system, particularly as examinations approach and thousands of candidates seek timely registration.