The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has addressed recent criticisms made by Peter Obi, former Labour Party Presidential Candidate, regarding the early reporting time for its Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

In a post shared on X on Sunday, Obi voiced concern over reports that many candidates—primarily teenagers—were being instructed to arrive at examination centres as early as 6:30 a.m., despite ongoing security issues.

He labeled the practice as “reckless,” highlighting instances where candidates were involved in accidents, went missing, or faced other risks. Obi attributed this situation to Nigeria’s chronic underinvestment in its educational system.

Obi argued that requiring young candidates to travel long distances at such early hours poses serious dangers, while also exposing deeper structural flaws within the country’s educational framework.

He stated, “Asking vulnerable teenage students to report for exams by 6:00 a.m. and travel to faraway centres is an irresponsible policy. We’re already hearing about students involved in road accidents, some tragically losing their lives, others missing, and many experiencing undue stress. Who is held accountable when a 15- or 16-year-old child is hurt or vanishes while simply trying to receive an education?”

In response on Sunday, JAMB clarified that the official examination start time is 8:00 a.m., not 6:00 a.m. It emphasized that students are expected to arrive at 6:30 a.m. for pre-examination procedures like verification and clearance.

The board explained that early arrival helps avoid disruptions caused by lateness and ensures an orderly process.

Posting on its verified X handle, JAMB stated, “Your Excellency, we must clarify that our exams begin at 8:00 a.m., not 6:00 a.m. However, verification and other administrative tasks commence at 6:30 a.m. to give candidates ample time to settle in before testing starts.”

The board added, “Considering the general tendency of late arrival when no buffer time is allowed, this approach is vital to ensuring that every candidate is properly settled and able to give their best during the exam.”

Earlier, The PUNCH reported that several parents had raised alarms about the early reporting time, particularly for candidates assigned to testing centres far from their residences, expressing concern for their safety.

In his post, Obi underscored the urgent need for substantial investment in Nigeria’s education sector, pointing out that the country's Gross Enrollment Ratio lags far behind international benchmarks.

He drew comparisons to Indonesia, noting that Nigeria should expand its network of universities and testing centres to improve both safety and accessibility for students across the country.