Peter Obi Urges JAMB: Students Must Not Pay for System Failures

By Tgnews Reporter

Former Labour Party presidential candidate and ex-Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, has called on the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to take urgent action to ease the hardships faced by candidates registering for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

In a statement released on Monday, Obi expressed deep concern over persistent congestion and confusion at JAMB offices, particularly the Amawbia office in Anambra State. He noted that similar challenges are reported in other states across Nigeria.

Obi recalled raising similar issues last year following the proscription of several Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres over alleged infractions.

He had expected corrective measures, but on a recent visit last Friday, he encountered the same large crowds and disarray.

“While authorities may have valid reasons for sanctioning centres, a more balanced and humane approach is possible,” Obi stated.

He suggested allowing centres under investigation to offer limited services under strict monitoring, or temporarily utilising previously approved centres under close supervision to reduce pressure on state offices.

With the 2026 UTME registration deadline set for February 26, 2026, Obi warned of serious consequences for candidates. Many travel long distances from rural areas, with some even sleeping in Awka to gain access to registration services.

“If nothing urgent is done, some will miss the examination — not for lack of preparation, but because the system failed them,” he emphasised.

Obi stressed that students should not bear the burden of systemic shortcomings. “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 called for swift, compassionate intervention rather than blame, to prevent avoidable administrative bottlenecks from jeopardising young Nigerians’ futures.

The statement, signed “-PO,” has drawn attention amid reports of over 1.5 million candidates already registered, with JAMB insisting no extensions will be granted beyond the February 26 deadline.

Obi’s intervention highlights ongoing concerns about access to education services and the need for more efficient, student-friendly processes in critical examination bodies like JAMB.