Former Anambra governor Peter Obi has questioned the registration process of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), urging immediate action to ease the burden on students.
In a post on X on Monday, Obi said he witnessed large crowds and confusion at JAMB’s Amawbia office in Anambra State last Friday.
He recalled that similar concerns emerged last year after JAMB proscribed several Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres over alleged infractions. At the time, many expected reforms. However, Obi said the situation has not improved.
“Sadly, as I passed there again last Friday, I met the same crowd and confusion,” he wrote.
Pressure Mounts at Centres
Furthermore, Obi said his inquiries showed that similar congestion exists in other states.
He acknowledged that JAMB may have valid reasons for sanctioning some centres. However, he urged the board to adopt a more practical approach.
He suggested that centres under investigation should continue offering limited services under strict supervision. In addition, he proposed that JAMB temporarily re-engage previously approved centres to reduce pressure on state offices.
Deadline Approaches
Meanwhile, registration is expected to close on the 26th. Obi warned that many candidates risk missing the examination.
He noted that some students travel from distant villages. Others sleep in Awka just to secure access to registration.
“If nothing urgent is done, some will miss the examination — not for lack of preparation, but because the system failed them,” he said.
Call for Swift Action
Obi stressed that students must not pay for institutional failures.
He urged JAMB to intervene quickly and compassionately.
“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,” he said.
