The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has responded to Peter Obi’s claims about their exam schedule.
Peter Obi, in a post on his verified X account on Sunday, said JAMB forced teenagers to travel early in the morning to write exams.
He said the students had to be at exam centres by 6:30 am, even in dangerous and unfamiliar places, despite the insecurity in the country.
Obi called this action “reckless.”
He said some students had gone missing, some had accidents, and many others suffered unnecessary trauma.
Obi wrote that teenagers, mostly aged 15 to 17, were made to travel in the dark just to write their exams.
He added that asking vulnerable teenagers to be at exam centres so early was dangerous.
Obi asked who would be responsible if a young child was harmed or disappeared while trying to access education.
He criticized JAMB and the government, saying the situation showed a deeper problem in the system.
In response, JAMB denied Obi’s claims.
JAMB said no exams were scheduled to start at 6:00 am.
They explained that the 2025 UTME exams were set to begin at 8:00 am.
However, the verification and clearance process for candidates started at 6:30 am.
JAMB said starting the process early helps candidates settle in and prepare well for the exams.
They explained that Nigerians often arrive late, so an early start for verification helps prevent delays.
Despite JAMB’s response, many Nigerians criticized the exam body.
They questioned why teenagers were asked to get to exam centres as early as 6:00 am.