Following Student Death ERC Criticizes Nigerian Exam Body JAMB
The Education Rights Campaign (ERC) has called the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) “grossly insensitive” for assigning candidates to far-off Computer-Based Test (CBT) centers during the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), linking the recent deaths of several candidates in a tragic road accident on the Oyo-Ogbomoso Road and the case of a missing teenage girl in Epe, Lagos to JAMB’s “careless” arrangements.
described the posting of candidates to
distant Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres during the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) as “grossly insensitive.”
In a press statement issued on Monday and signed by Ogunjimi Isaac, Deputy National Coordinator, ERC criticised JAMB’s scheduling system. The system mandates that many candidates travel long distances and arrive at test centres as early as 6:30 a.m., allegedly without adequate regard for their safety.
The group linked the recent deaths of several candidates in a fatal road accident along the Oyo-Ogbomoso Road and the case of a missing teenage girl in Epe, Lagos, to JAMB’s “careless” arrangements.
“JAMB’s insensitive scheduling has tragically exposed young candidates to avoidable dangers, including road accidents and disappearances,” said Ogunjimi Isaac, Deputy National Coordinator of the ERC.
“It is shocking that an exam body entrusted with the future of young Nigerians would operate in such a reckless manner.”
ERC also faulted JAMB’s response to the public outcry, describing a statement issued by its spokesperson, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, as “bullish” and lacking empathy. In the statement, JAMB accused candidates of deceiving their parents about their exam schedules and challenged complainants to provide evidence in exchange for rewards.
According to the ERC, such a response demonstrates a “disturbing lack of sensitivity” and risks pitting parents against their children.
“Instead of taking responsibility, JAMB has resorted to blaming candidates and portraying parents as irresponsible,” Ogunjimi stated. “This is a disgrace and a reflection of poor leadership.”
The ERC emphasised that the main issue is not only the posting of candidates to different towns but also the mandate for candidates to arrive at centres extremely early—a policy that it says exposes teenagers to significant safety risks.
Responding to JAMB’s justification that airline travellers are required to arrive at airports two hours before departure, ERC argued that such a comparison is illogical.
“This is not air travel. These are young students, some as young as 15, forced to travel in unsafe conditions. The failure to understand this basic fact shows a disturbing disconnect from the realities faced by ordinary Nigerians,” the group said.
In its statement, ERC also criticised JAMB’s inability to streamline the UTME process effectively, noting that many candidates arrived at their examination halls distressed and disoriented after struggling to locate far-off centres.
“We sympathise with parents who have lost their children or are undergoing emotional trauma due to JAMB’s carelessness,” Ogunjimi added.
The ERC called for immediate reforms to improve the safety and well-being of candidates, including adjusting the mandatory reporting time for UTME candidates from 6:30 am to 8:00 am to reduce early morning travel risks.
It also called for the establishment of additional CBT centres across localities to minimise long-distance travel and overcrowding.
ERC pledged to continue advocating for reforms in Nigeria’s education sector to prioritise student safety and welfare.
