In Response to Peter Obi's Criticism, JAMB Explains Why it Requested that Candidates Return for the Exam by 6:30 am.

In response to criticism from a former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has clarified the necessity for candidates to arrive as early as 6:30 AM on Saturday for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). Obi expressed his concerns on his X account on Sunday afternoon, stating: 'I have encountered numerous reports indicating that students are required to attend a public examination at 6:30 AM. These teenagers, primarily aged 15 to 17, are compelled to travel in the dark, even amidst security threats, across perilous and unfamiliar areas, all in pursuit of their fundamental right to education and to participate in the JAMB examinations. Scheduling exams for vulnerable adolescents as early as 6:00 AM while requiring them to traverse remote locations is irresponsible. Reports are already surfacing of students being involved in accidents and tragically losing their lives, with some going missing and many others experiencing undue trauma. Who is accountable when a 15- or 16-year-old child vanishes or suffers harm while attempting to secure their educational rights? This unfortunate scenario highlights a more profound systemic failure: Nigeria lacks sufficient universities and examination centers to accommodate its youth. Currently, Nigeria has approximately 200 universities for a population exceeding 200 million, resulting in a ratio of one university for every one million citizens, a deeply concerning statistic that underscores the deteriorating state of the country's educational access. Data from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics and IndexMundi indicates that nations striving for robust development, strong economies, and widespread access to higher education should aim for a Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) of at least 40%. In this context, Nigeria, with a population of approximately 230 million and around 200 universities, has a GER of roughly 12%. In contrast, Indonesia, which has a population of about 280 million and over 4,000 tertiary institutions, boasts a ratio of one university for every 70,000 individuals and a GER exceeding 45%. The Indonesian education system supports more than 10 million students enrolled in tertiary education across various age groups, reflecting significant investment in education. This investment is evident in the favorable university-to-population ratio, which facilitates access for a large student body. Conversely, Nigeria's GER is markedly below the global average, highlighting an urgent need for substantial educational investment to foster national growth and development. Unlike Nigeria, Indonesia has universities distributed throughout its regions, ensuring that access to examinations, learning, and opportunities is more equitable and secure. If Nigeria were to achieve even half of Indonesia's educational infrastructure, approximately 2,000 universities, Nigerian children would not have to undertake perilous journeys merely to take exams, nor would they face challenges in gaining university admission despite performing well. Education should not be viewed as a luxury or an expense; it is the most significant contributor to a nation's development and the most crucial investment a country can make. One cannot profess a desire for development while denying young people access to knowledge. It is contradictory to claim to value citizens while endangering the lives of teenagers during examination periods. There is a pressing need to expand our education system with urgency and intention. We must endeavor to align our population with educational access. The safety of our youth should not be compromised due to their pursuit of education. As a nation, we must improve and guarantee that our future leaders receive the new Nigeria they rightfully deserve. A new Nigeria is achievable. -PO. In response, JAMB stated; 'Your Excellency, I must emphasize that our examination is set to begin at 8:00 am, not 6:00 am. Although verification and other clearance procedures will start at 6:30 am, it is crucial that candidates are given sufficient time to acclimate before the examination commences.' 'Considering the common tendency among Nigerians to arrive late when a start time is established without allowance for unforeseen circumstances, this organized timeline is vital to ensure that all candidates are adequately prepared and can perform at their highest potential.'