The Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has expressed concern over the challenges faced by candidates registering for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in Amawbia, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
In a statement shared on his X handle on Monday, Obi described the situation at the Amawbia office of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) as troubling. He said the hardship mirrors what students experienced last year.
According to him, several Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres were previously proscribed over alleged infractions. While authorities may have acted for valid reasons, Obi said the impact on students has been severe.
“Last year, concerns were raised about the hardship students faced at various centres across the country, particularly at the Amawbia office of JAMB,” he said. “The expectation was that corrective measures would follow. Sadly, as I passed there again last Friday, I met the same crowd and confusion.”
Obi added that after making further inquiries, he learned that similar situations exist in other states across Nigeria.
He stressed that although regulatory actions are sometimes necessary, students should not suffer the consequences of systemic shortcomings. He suggested that centres under investigation could be allowed to offer limited services under strict supervision.
“If it is difficult to approve new centres quickly, authorities could temporarily make use of previously approved centres under close monitoring to ease the pressure,” he stated.
With the registration deadline set for February 26, Obi warned that the consequences could be serious. He noted that many candidates travel from remote villages and even sleep in Awka just to complete their registration.
“If nothing urgent is done, some will miss the examination — not for lack of preparation, but because the system failed them,” he said.
Obi’s comments come amid reports of registration challenges nationwide. Meanwhile, JAMB has announced that over one million candidates have successfully registered for the 2026 UTME. The board has also advised early registration and cautioned candidates against issues such as biometric errors and late applications.
As the deadline approaches, stakeholders are calling for swift intervention to ensure that no eligible candidate is denied the opportunity to sit for the examination.
