Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has condemned the hardship faced by candidates during the ongoing registration process of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), warning that students should not be punished for institutional shortcomings.
In a post on his verified X handle, Obi recalled similar challenges recorded last year, particularly at the JAMB office in Amawbia, Anambra State, following the proscription of several Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres over alleged infractions.
He said despite earlier concerns and expectations of reform, the situation has remained largely unchanged.
“Last year, concerns were raised about the hardship students faced at various centres across the country, particularly at the Amawbia, Anambra State, office of JAMB, following the proscription of several CBT centres over alleged infractions,” Obi wrote.
“The expectation was that corrective measures would follow. Sadly, as I passed there again last Friday, I met the same crowd and confusion.”
According to him, similar challenges are being experienced in other parts of the country, worsening the plight of candidates seeking to complete their registration.
Upon making inquiries, Obi said he was informed that “similar situations exist in some other states across Nigeria,” describing the development as troubling.
While acknowledging that authorities may have legitimate reasons for sanctioning erring centres, Obi urged JAMB and relevant agencies to adopt a more compassionate and practical approach.
He suggested that centres under investigation could be allowed to operate on a limited basis under strict supervision, while previously approved centres could be temporarily reactivated to reduce pressure on state offices.
“Centres under investigation could be allowed to continue offering limited services under strict monitoring to prevent further lapses,” he said.
“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.”
Obi expressed concern over the approaching registration deadline, warning that many candidates may be unfairly excluded from sitting for the examination.
“With registration ending on the 26th, the consequences are serious,” he stated.
He added that many candidates travel long distances from rural communities, with some even sleeping in Awka, in desperate efforts to secure registration slots.
“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.”
In his concluding remarks, Obi stressed that young Nigerians should not bear the burden of administrative inefficiencies.
“Students cannot be made to suffer the failings of a system to which we have all, in one way or another, contributed,” he said.
He further called for urgent intervention, adding: “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.”