Pastor Urges JAMB Reform in Nigeria Over Student Safety
Pastor Urges JAMB Reform in Nigeria Over Student Safety
The General Overseer of Omega Power Ministries, Chibuzor Chinyere, has called on the Federal Government to scrap the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board examination system, raising concerns about student safety, stress, and inefficiencies in Nigeria’s tertiary admission process.
Speaking during a sermon in Port Harcourt, the cleric questioned the continued relevance of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, noting that candidates are required to pass through multiple stages before gaining admission, including exams conducted by the West African Examinations Council, followed by UTME and post-UTME screenings by universities.
He stated that this layered system places unnecessary pressure on students, especially as institutions still conduct their own screening exercises after JAMB, which he said weakens the purpose of a centralized examination. According to him, many candidates who fail to meet admission requirements are forced to repeat the process annually, leading to frustration and delays in their academic journey. He argued that the duplication of processes makes JAMB less meaningful in practice, as universities ultimately determine final admission outcomes.
The cleric also raised concerns about examination logistics, particularly early morning schedules such as 6:30 a.m. sittings, which he said expose candidates to avoidable risks. He explained that students often have to travel long distances or secure accommodation near examination centers to avoid missing their exams, increasing both financial burden and safety concerns.
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He noted that some students, including those supported through Omega Power Ministries scholarships, frequently incur additional costs for lodging and transportation due to the way examination centers are assigned.
Chinyere further criticized the practice of posting candidates to centers far from their homes, describing it as stressful and potentially dangerous given Nigeria’s security challenges. He referenced reports of alleged abductions involving candidates traveling for examinations, describing such developments as troubling and calling for urgent intervention by authorities to protect students.
Drawing comparisons with international education systems, he stated that many universities abroad allow direct applications without requiring a centralized entrance examination like JAMB. He suggested that adopting a more flexible admission approach in Nigeria could reduce stress, improve accessibility, and enhance safety for students. His remarks contribute to ongoing discussions about education reform in Nigeria, particularly regarding how to balance standardized testing with institutional autonomy while ensuring that student welfare remains a priority.
The call for JAMB reform Nigeria student safety reflects broader concerns among stakeholders about the structure and impact of the current system. As debates continue, the issue highlights the need for policies that not only maintain academic standards but also address the realities faced by students across the country.
Content Credit: Azeez Amosun
Image Credit: Wikipedia.org
