The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has responded to Labour Party’s former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, following his criticism of the early start times for candidates sitting the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
Obi had on Sunday, via a post on X, expressed concern over reports that candidates, many of them teenagers, were being asked to arrive at examination centres as early as 6:30 a.m. despite prevailing security risks.
He described the situation as “reckless,” citing incidents of accidents, missing candidates, and unnecessary exposure to danger, and linked it to Nigeria’s longstanding underinvestment in education.
“Setting exams for vulnerable teenagers as early as 6:00 a.m. while transporting them across distant locations is reckless,” Obi said.
“Already, there are reports of students getting into accidents, some going missing, and others subjected to unnecessary trauma. Who takes responsibility if a 15- or 16-year-old child is harmed while simply trying to access education?”
Responding on Sunday, JAMB clarified that the actual examination begins at 8:00 a.m., not 6:00 a.m., as alleged. However, the board explained that candidates are required to arrive earlier for mandatory verification and clearance processes to avoid delays and ensure a smooth operation.
Posting on its official X handle, JAMB stated, “Your Excellency, I must assert that our examination is scheduled to commence at 8:00 a.m., not 6:00 a.m. While verification and other clearance processes begin at 6:30 a.m., it is imperative that candidates are afforded adequate time to settle in before the exam begins.”
The board further explained that the early arrival policy is necessary to manage the Nigerian tendency toward lateness, which could disrupt the examination schedule if not properly controlled.
Some parents had raised alarms over the early resumption, arguing that it exposed young candidates to avoidable risks, particularly those assigned to centres far from their residences.
Obi, in his post, also emphasized the need for urgent investment in Nigeria’s educational sector, noting that the country’s Gross Enrollment Ratio remains far below international standards.
He drew a comparison with Indonesia, suggesting that expanding educational infrastructure, including universities and examination centres, would enhance safety, accessibility, and reduce systemic stress on students.
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