In a statement released on Saturday, April 26, JAMB’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, clarified the Board’s posting policy and condemned what it described as a "campaign of calumny" aimed at undermining its credibility.
According to JAMB, some students and school proprietors have been misleading parents into believing that the Board arbitrarily posts candidates to examination centres far from their selected locations. Dr. Benjamin emphasized that candidates are given the opportunity to select their preferred examination towns during registration, and that centre assignments are strictly made within those towns.
"Let it be unequivocally clear: at the time of registration, candidates have the right to select their preferred examination town. JAMB subsequently assigns them to a centre within that chosen town. The baseless assertion that candidates are placed in towns different from their selections is erroneous, malicious, and aimed solely at tarnishing the Board’s reputation. It never happens," the statement read.
To counter the spread of misinformation, JAMB has challenged the public to provide evidence of any candidate posted outside their selected town. The Board announced a handsome financial reward for anyone who can submit authentic proof within the next 96 hours.
Proof must be sent to the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) via their dedicated WhatsApp line at 08056003030, ensuring transparency and impartiality in the verification process.
In addressing related concerns, JAMB defended its policy of requiring candidates to arrive at Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres 90 minutes before the start of examinations, drawing a parallel with the aviation industry.
"Similarly, anyone who finds no fault in airlines requesting air-travellers to arrive at the airport 2 hours before departure time should find no fault in encouraging candidates to arrive at the CBT centres 90 minutes before commencement of examination for preliminary verification," the Board explained.
JAMB stressed that many parents and guardians may not fully understand the necessary preparatory steps involved in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) process, including identity verification and system checks, which are crucial to ensuring smooth and credible examinations.
Highlighting some of the peculiar challenges encountered during the UTME, JAMB cited a recent case where a female candidate, based on superstitious advice from her grandfather, sat through the exam without answering a single question, hoping for divine intervention. The Board reiterated that success in its examinations is solely dependent on preparation and performance, not superstition.
In closing, JAMB urged candidates to avoid unfounded beliefs, encouraged the public to trust in the integrity of government institutions, and reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and service excellence in Nigeria’s education sector.