Emma Elekwa
Former presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi has called on the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to urgently address difficulties faced by candidates registering for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.
He warned that students must not suffer because of administrative shortcomings.
Obi, former Anambra state governor raised the concern after observing large crowds and confusion at JAMB’s office in Amawbia, noting that similar reports have emerged from other parts of the country.
According to him, the situation appears linked to the proscription of several Computer-Based Test centres over alleged infractions.
Acknowledging that authorities may have legitimate reasons to sanction erring centres, Obi urged the examination body to adopt a more balanced and humane approach.
He suggested that centres under investigation could be permitted to offer limited services under strict monitoring to prevent further violations.
“Where approval of new centres may take time, JAMB can temporarily utilise previously approved centres under close supervision to reduce the pressure on state offices,” he added.
With the registration deadline approaching, Obi warned that many candidates – some travelling long distances and even spending nights away from home – risk missing the examination through no fault of their own.
He called for swift and compassionate intervention to ensure that no young person’s academic future was jeopardised by avoidable administrative bottlenecks.
“Students cannot be made to suffer the failings of a system to which we have all, in one way or another, contributed,” he maintained.
