Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has called on authorities to ensure that Nigerian students are not made to bear the brunt of administrative failures.
Obi made the remarks in a statement shared on his verified X handle on Monday, responding to concerns over the challenges students face at examination centres nationwide.
The former Anambra State governor highlighted the situation at the Amawbia office of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), where a number of CBT centres were recently proscribed for alleged infractions.
“The expectation was that corrective measures would follow. Sadly, as I passed there again last Friday, I met the same crowd and confusion. Upon further inquiry, I was informed that similar situations exist in some other states across Nigeria,” Obi said.
He suggested a more balanced approach, emphasizing the need for student-friendly solutions. “While authorities may have valid reasons for sanctioning centres, a more balanced and humane approach is possible. Centres under investigation could be allowed to continue offering limited services under strict monitoring to prevent further lapses. If it is difficult to approve new centres quickly, the authorities could still make temporary use of previously approved centres under close supervision to ease the pressure on state offices.”
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With JAMB registration ending on February 26, Obi warned that delays could have serious consequences. “Many candidates travel from distant villages, some even sleeping in Awka to secure access. If nothing urgent is done, some will miss the examination — not for lack of preparation, but because the system failed them. Students cannot be made to suffer the failings of a system to which we have all, in one way or another, contributed.”
He concluded by urging authorities to prioritize action over blame. “What is required now is not blame, but swift and compassionate intervention to ensure that no young person’s future is jeopardised by avoidable administrative bottlenecks.”