Stakeholders Charge New JAMB Registrar to Improve Access, Fairness, and Technology in Examinations

Education stakeholders have called on the newly appointed Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Segun Aina, to prioritise accessibility, fairness, inclusiveness, and technological efficiency in the administration of examinations across Nigeria.

The stakeholders appealed in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja following Aina’s appointment as the new head of the examination body.

Speaking on the development, the National President of the Parent-Teacher Association of Nigeria (PTA), Prof. Bonyface Odeh, described Aina’s appointment as a welcome development, stressing that competence should outweigh age in leadership considerations.

According to him, attaining the rank of professor is evidence of academic excellence and leadership capacity.

“A professor in Nigeria is a professor anywhere in the world. If he is qualified to become a professor, then he is qualified to hold any public office entrusted to him,” Odeh stated.

While commending the appointment, he urged the new registrar to address challenges associated with the Computer-Based Test (CBT) system, particularly the limited access to computers in many secondary schools across the country.

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Odeh noted that many students are expected to write computer-based examinations despite having little or no exposure to digital devices during their schooling years.

He argued that while the CBT model remains a progressive step in curbing examination malpractice, the government must ensure schools are adequately equipped with computers and digital learning facilities to prepare candidates effectively.

The PTA president also advocated more flexible procedures for correcting candidates’ personal information, including names and dates of birth, saying genuine registration errors should be accommodated without unnecessary hurdles.

“Nobody is above mistakes. If a child makes an error in spelling or arrangement of names, there should be a provision for correction,” he added.

Odeh further called on the Federal Government to uphold the federal character principle in appointments to key national institutions and expressed confidence that Aina would build on the achievements of his predecessor while addressing existing challenges within the board.

Also speaking, education analyst Nathaniel Adamu described the new registrar as a capable administrator whose background in technology and education could help drive innovation within JAMB.

According to him, Aina possesses the expertise required to improve service delivery and tackle technical issues that often arise during examinations.

“I believe he is well-positioned because I read a little about his biography when the appointment was announced. The young man is energetic and committed, and I believe he will make a positive impact,” Adamu said.

He added that Aina’s relatively young age could prove advantageous, enabling him to better understand the needs and realities of candidates in an increasingly digital world.

“We now have a young person who will think the way young people are thinking and introduce innovations that will make JAMB even better,” he said.

Adamu also expressed optimism that the incoming registrar would leverage technology-driven solutions to minimise technical glitches and further strengthen the credibility and efficiency of JAMB examinations.

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Similarly, the Principal of Grace of God Schools, Mr. Bassey Bassey, described the appointment of younger professionals into leadership positions as a positive step capable of accelerating reforms within the education sector.

He maintained that qualifications, competence, and research achievements should remain the key criteria for appointments, rather than age.

Bassey urged the new registrar to address persistent challenges facing the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), including the shortage of CBT centres, long travel distances for candidates, and technical failures experienced during examinations.

He also advocated stronger collaboration between the government and private sector operators to expand examination facilities, improve efficiency, speed up result processing, and explore the possibility of conducting UTME more than once annually.

The school administrator commended President Bola Tinubu for appointing younger individuals into strategic leadership positions, describing the move as progressive and beneficial to national development.

On his part, the Principal of Maria Assumpta School, Mr. Enyi Michael, expressed confidence that youthful leadership would help tackle emerging challenges confronting examination bodies, particularly in areas such as cybersecurity and digital system management.

He noted that the new registrar has an opportunity to introduce reforms that would address some of the shortcomings observed under previous administrations and further strengthen the integrity of the examination system.