Obi Tells JAMB: Put Students’ Welfare First

Former presidential aspirant Peter Obi has condemned the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for what he calls “unjust and avoidable” suffering inflicted on students in Anambra State due to the blacklisting of numerous Computer-Based Test (CBT) centers.

In a post on his X account on Friday, Obi expressed his concern over witnessing a large gathering of students outside the JAMB office in Anambra during a recent visit, with some “perched precariously on the fence” while waiting to modify their course or institution selections.

“I found this unexpected, as such services are usually handled at JAMB-sanctioned CBT centers,” Obi remarked, noting that most CBT centers have ceased to offer the service, leaving students with limited or no options.

Further investigations revealed to Obi that out of 28 JAMB-approved CBT centers in Anambra, 17 have been blacklisted, with many operators uninformed about the specific reasons, only told that they are “under investigation.”

This situation, he pointed out, has compelled students to travel great distances to the state office, with some making multiple unsuccessful attempts before receiving assistance. He also lamented what he described as “a sharp increase” in service fees, mentioning that a process originally costing ₦1,500 at accredited centers now goes up to ₦15,000 at the JAMB office, often inflated by “unofficial charges.”

“These young Nigerians, already facing tremendous pressure, are now encountering even more severe financial, physical, and emotional burdens,” Obi cautioned. “Many find themselves unable to transfer to their desired institutions, and with universities beginning post-UTME screening, their academic prospects are in grave jeopardy.”

He called into question the lack of clarity surrounding the issue, urging JAMB to implement “a more compassionate and transparent strategy” by permitting the centers to function under close supervision while inquiries continue.