Former Anambra State governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has called on the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to urgently address the challenges facing candidates at registration centres across the country.
Obi raised concerns over the hardship experienced by students, particularly at the Board’s office in Amawbia, Anambra State, following the proscription of several Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres over alleged infractions.
According to him, similar reports of overcrowding and confusion have emerged from other states, despite earlier concerns raised last year about the same issue.
While acknowledging that authorities may have valid reasons for sanctioning erring centres, Obi urged JAMB to adopt a more balanced and humane approach. He suggested that centres under investigation could be allowed to operate on a limited basis under strict monitoring to prevent further lapses.
He also proposed the temporary reactivation of previously approved centres, under close supervision, to ease the mounting pressure on state offices, especially as the registration deadline approaches.
“With registration ending on the 26th, the consequences are serious,” Obi noted, adding that many candidates travel from distant villages and even sleep in Awka to secure access to registration facilities.
He warned that without swift intervention, some students may miss the examination not due to lack of preparation, but because of administrative bottlenecks.
Obi stressed that students should not be made to suffer for systemic shortcomings, calling for urgent and compassionate measures to ensure that no young person’s academic future is jeopardised.
