Peter Obi Slams JAMB Over Students’ Struggles To Change Course, Institution
Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticised the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) over the hardship students face in trying to change their course or institution choices for the 2025 admission process.
Obi raised the alarm in a post on X on Friday after encountering a large crowd of students outside the JAMB office in Amawbia, Anambra State.
Some of the students were reportedly seen climbing the fence in a desperate attempt to gain access.
He said his interaction with the students revealed that many were there because most Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres in the state had stopped offering the change of course or institution service.
“While passing through Amawbia, I noticed a large crowd of students gathered outside the JAMB office – some even perched precariously on the fence.
“Troubled by what I saw, I stopped to speak with a few of the students. They explained that they were there to make changes to their course or institution choices. I found this surprising, as such services are usually processed at JAMB-designated CBT centres. Their response was disheartening – most CBT centres had stopped offering the service, leaving them with few or no alternatives.”
Obi said his findings revealed that 17 of the 28 approved CBT centres in Anambra State had been blacklisted, with the reason cited merely as “under investigation,” and many of the affected centres were not properly informed of their offences.
He decried the impact of the development, stating that many students were now forced to travel from remote parts of the state to the JAMB office, with some making as many as five unsuccessful visits before being attended to.
He also condemned the increase in cost, noting that the change of course or institution, which ordinarily costs around ₦1,500, now costs up to ₦15,000 at the JAMB office, allegedly padded by unofficial charges.
“These young Nigerians—already grappling with immense pressure—now face even greater financial, physical, and emotional strain.
“Their inability to make timely changes has placed their academic futures at serious risk, especially as several universities have already commenced their post-UTME screenings.”
Obi called on JAMB to show compassion and reconsider its stance.
“While JAMB may have valid reasons for blacklisting some centres, one must ask: could a more humane and transparent approach not have been adopted?
“Could these centres not have been allowed to continue under strict monitoring until investigations are concluded?”
He appealed to the board to prioritise student welfare, warning that bureaucratic bottlenecks should not be allowed to derail the dreams of young Nigerians.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
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