The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has told popular politician, Peter Obi, that the ongoing exam stars at 8 am and not 6 am as he claimed.
Obi had lamented in a post on Sunday that it was reckless on the part of JAMB to ask students to begin the papers so early.
He had said on X: “Teenagers, mostly 15–17 years old, were forced to travel in the dark, across dangerous and unfamiliar locations, just to access their right to education and sit for JAMB examinations. Setting exams for vulnerable teenagers as early as 6:00 am is reckless. Reports are already emerging of accidents, missing students, and needless trauma. Who takes responsibility when a child disappears or is harmed while trying to get an education?”
Obi further criticised the exam body and the government, calling the situation a sign of deeper systemic failure.
JAMB explained that the early verification was intended to ensure candidates were settled and ready before the exams started. “Our examination is scheduled to commence at 8:00 am, not 6:00 am. Verification and clearance begin at 6:30 am to afford candidates adequate time to settle in,” JAMB stated.
However, many Nigerians faulted JAMB’s explanation, questioning why teenagers were required to arrive at centres as early as 6 am
