Obi’s exam schedule critique prompts JAMB’s reaction

Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has raised alarms over the early reporting times for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), expressing concern about the welfare of teenage candidates required to arrive at centres by 6:30 am.

In a post on X, Obi labeled the situation as “reckless,” citing safety risks and incidents involving accidents and missing candidates. He argued that such scheduling decisions highlight Nigeria’s broader failure to adequately invest in its educational infrastructure.

Obi remarked: “Scheduling teenagers for exams at 6:00 am and transporting them over long distances is unacceptable. We are risking young lives under the guise of examination logistics.”

Responding to the criticism, JAMB clarified that while candidates are asked to report by 6:30 am for verification and clearance processes, actual examinations commence at 8:00 am. The board defended the structure, explaining that early arrival is intended to minimize disruptions and allow candidates sufficient time to settle before starting their exams.

In its statement, JAMB emphasized, “Early verification is crucial in a country where lateness could jeopardize the entire exercise.”

Separately, reports from parents echoed Obi’s concerns, underscoring the logistical and security challenges candidates face. Obi concluded by advocating for aggressive expansion of educational infrastructure to match global standards, noting Nigeria’s lagging Gross Enrollment Ratio compared to countries like Indonesia.