The recent display of emotion by the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, at a press conference was more than just a burst of personal vulnerability, it was a cry from the heart of an inefficient system. A system where over 70% of students scored less than 200 in the recent UTME. A system plagued by perpetual technical issues, which now also bears the burden of the unnecessary loss of a young life. Of course, the incident involving the young girl made headlines, but who can tell of the many others silenced under the roofs of their homes?
It has probably become uninspiring to say in Nigeria that “something needs to be done.”
The Registrar’s tears, though noble in their sincerity, cannot reverse the pain of shattered hopes or restore lost lives. Instead, they should move us to action.
Blame can be shared around and still have twelve baskets full—ranging from government, to the board’s technical failures, to students’ growing disinterest in studies, and parents’ lackadaisical attitude toward their children’s education. But the elephant in the room is this: what is the way forward?
The Way Forward:
- Complete Overhaul of CBT Centres: The constant technical malfunctions indicate that only centres with good infrastructure should be accredited by JAMB and rigorously monitored in real time. Failure to adhere strictly to JAMB’s standards or cases of negligence must attract severe sanctions.
- Psychological Welfare and Examination Preparedness: The psychological toll on candidates must not be taken lightly. Greater emphasis should be placed on counseling, mock exams, and access to preparatory materials, especially in disadvantaged areas.
- Curriculum-Exam Concordance: There is a stark disparity between what students are taught in schools and what is tested in UTME. Education stakeholders must align the curriculum with examination content to reflect true learning—not mere rote memorization.
- Accountability and Transparency: JAMB needs to be open about its internal processes. Public audits of results, independent reviews of technical failures, and public hearings can help restore trust.
- Victim Support: Families of victims deserve justice, compensation, and assurance that something meaningful has been learned from these tragedies.
Beyond this, a national discussion is overdue on the over-centralization of admissions. Why should the dreams of scores of young Nigerians hinge on the outcome of one exam conducted by a single board? A less centralized, more adaptive and holistic model—grounded in continuous assessment, teacher referrals, and ability testing—could reduce stress for students and offer a more balanced evaluation of their potential. It may not eliminate the mental health crisis among UTME candidates entirely, but it could alleviate it significantly.
Furthermore, all stakeholders must demand more action from leadership—ministers, lawmakers, and governors. Politicians must understand that education is not a public relations exercise; it is the linchpin of national progress. A nation that skimps on its young minds cannot expect innovation, productivity, or peace. Budget proposals must be implemented.
