A recently circulated video ignited widespread outrage throughout Nigeria, featuring a woman alleging that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) had scheduled an exam to commence at 6:30 a.m.

The allegation quickly went viral, triggering public criticism and anger without anyone pausing to verify its validity. However, upon further investigation, it was discovered that the claim was misleading—JAMB had only instructed candidates to arrive as early as 6:30 a.m. for pre-exam verification, with the actual test starting at 8:00 a.m.

This incident reflects a larger pattern in Nigeria: the rapid acceptance and circulation of unconfirmed stories, especially when such narratives cast government institutions in a negative light. Alarmingly, some media platforms also picked up and amplified the falsehood, with one prominent newspaper going so far as to declare, “Nigeria is finished,” based solely on the unverified claim.

This begs the question: why do Nigerians so easily embrace and spread misinformation? Why is there such selective outrage—anger directed at local institutions but silence when stricter practices come from foreign authorities?

Consider this: if a foreign embassy scheduled visa interviews for 6:30 a.m., many of the same critics would show up hours earlier, perhaps by 4:30 a.m., pay intermediaries to secure their place in line, and bring along their children—without protest. There would be no viral video, no accusations of indifference, just quiet compliance.

This discrepancy reveals a troubling inconsistency. While Nigerians tolerate early queues, high costs, and even exploitation in pursuit of foreign travel, a local body like JAMB requesting punctual arrival for a national exam is treated as an outrage.

Veterans of the JAMB process know that early arrival has long been part of the experience. In the 1990s and early 2000s, candidates journeyed long distances to pick up forms and showed up at centers as early as 4:30 a.m., driven by determination—not complaint.

At that time, it was uncommon for parents to accompany their children to exam centers under the guise of providing "support"—a term that sometimes masks their role in facilitating exam malpractice. Today, many of the parents criticizing the 6:30 a.m. check-in time are also those willing to pay exorbitant fees for “Special Centers” that promise manipulated results.

No one disputes the reality of Nigeria’s security challenges. Still, exams must proceed, and early verification is critical to prevent impersonation and other forms of misconduct. JAMB’s guidance to arrive early simply ensured that verification would be completed ahead of the 8:00 a.m. start time.

Furthermore, candidates were encouraged to select examination centers close to home to reduce travel-related risks. If security was truly the concern, one would expect parents to prioritize nearby locations instead of attempting to secure “special,” and often illegitimate, arrangements.

An increasingly problematic trend in Nigeria is the rise of “woke” culture, which favors dramatic headlines over verified facts. Many people no longer prioritize accuracy, reacting instead to whatever content confirms their biases. Social media influencers and opportunistic politicians often seize on these moments to boost their visibility, deepening public division.

Ironically, the same parents who object to JAMB’s verification timing have no issue waking their children in the middle of the night for religious gatherings. Yet when it comes to academic matters—the very foundation of their children's future—concern suddenly becomes performative.

Yes, Nigeria’s education system has shortcomings, but not every directive is an act of oppression. Before joining the chorus of outrage, Nigerians must adopt three key habits:

Verify facts – A quick fact-check could have easily exposed the falsehood of the 6:30 a.m. exam claim.
Avoid double standards – If we accept demanding protocols from foreign bodies, we should be able to do the same for our own institutions.
Keep politics out of education – Malpractice and the pursuit of “special centers” inflict more damage than any early morning verification process.

JAMB’s instruction was neither extreme nor unjustified. Attention should be directed toward real challenges—such as examination fraud and infrastructure deficits—not fabricated controversies. A functional system is essential for securing the future of Nigerian youth, and undermining it through baseless outrage does more harm than good.

It’s time for a collective reset.