Peter Obi, former Labour Party presidential candidate, has appealed to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to adopt a “more humane and transparent” approach in dealing with blacklisted Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres, warning that the current situation is placing undue strain on Nigerian students.
In a statement on Friday titled “JAMB: A Plea for Compassion”, Obi recounted a recent visit to Amawbia, Anambra State, where he saw “a large crowd of students gathered outside the JAMB office, some even perched precariously on the fence.”
Troubled by the scene, he said he stopped to speak with some of the students and was surprised to learn they were there to change their course or institution of choice, a service that is usually processed at JAMB-designated CBT centres.
“They explained that most of the CBT centres had stopped offering the service, leaving them with few or no alternatives,” Obi said.
He noted that further inquiries revealed that 17 out of 28 JAMB-approved centres in Anambra had been blacklisted, with many operators unaware of the specific reasons.
“The explanation given was the vague phrase: ‘under investigation’,” he added.
According to Obi, the development has forced students to travel long distances, sometimes from remote parts of the state, to access services at the JAMB state office. Many, he said, had made “up to five unsuccessful trips” before being attended to.
“What is more troubling is the sharp increase in the cost of processing these changes: a service that should ordinarily cost around N1,500 at accredited centres now costs up to N15,000 at the JAMB office, often padded by unofficial fees,” he said.
Obi warned that the situation was putting students’ academic futures at risk, with some unable to transfer to their preferred institutions while post-UTME screenings had already commenced in several universities.
“This is happening at a time when the country is grappling with severe economic hardship, rising insecurity, and high youth unemployment. That students and their parents must suffer so needlessly is both unjust and avoidable,” he said.
While acknowledging that JAMB may have valid reasons for sanctioning some centres, Obi stressed the need for a balanced approach. “Could a more humane and transparent approach not have been adopted? Is it not possible to allow these centres to continue offering essential services under close monitoring, pending the outcome of investigations?” he asked.
Reiterating that “education remains the hope of our nation,” Obi urged JAMB to prioritise the welfare of students. “We must not allow bureaucratic bottlenecks and opacity to derail the dreams of our young people. I appeal to JAMB to reconsider its position and embrace a more compassionate and efficient response,” he said.
