By BONIFACE AKARAH

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential frontrunner, Peter Obi, has called on the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to urgently address the challenges faced by candidates at registration centres across the country, warning that “students must not pay for system failures.”

In a statement on Monday February 23, the 2023 Labour Party Presidential Candidate expressed concern over overcrowding and confusion at JAMB’s office in Amawbia, Anambra State, following the proscription of several Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres over alleged infractions.

“Last year, concerns were raised about the hardship students faced at various centres across the country, particularly at the Amawbia, Anambra State, office of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, following the proscription of several CBT centres over alleged infractions,” Obi said.

He noted that while corrective measures were expected after last year’s complaints, the situation appears unchanged.

“As I passed there again last Friday, I met the same crowd and confusion,” the former Anambra State Governor stated. “Upon further inquiry, I was informed that similar situations exist in some other states across Nigeria.”

Obi acknowledged that authorities may have valid reasons for sanctioning centres but urged a more balanced and humane approach to prevent candidates from bearing the brunt of administrative actions.

“While authorities may have valid reasons for sanctioning centres, a more balanced and humane approach is possible,” he said. “Centres under investigation could be allowed to continue offering limited services under strict monitoring to prevent further lapses.”

He further suggested that if the approval of new centres poses challenges, previously approved facilities could be temporarily re-engaged under close supervision to ease pressure on state offices.

“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,” he added.

With registration scheduled to end on the 26th, Obi warned of serious consequences for candidates, particularly those travelling long distances to register.

“With registration ending on the 26th, the consequences are serious,” he said. “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.”

The ADC Presidential frontrunner stressed that the burden of institutional shortcomings should not be transferred to young Nigerians seeking educational advancement.

“Students cannot be made to suffer the failings of a system to which we have all, in one way or another, contributed,” Obi said. “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.”