The Conversation: A Broken System or Failing Students?
Speaking live on Travel Radio Live, Wake & Wonder host explored Nigeria’s Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) challenges with educationist and examiner Mr. Dele Michael Oyenihun. With 96,838 candidates missing the primary exam, the upcoming mop-up test has reopened debates on exam integrity, digital infrastructure, and leadership accountability.
“Everything rises and falls on leadership. This isn’t about the students, it’s the system,” said Mr. Dele M. Oyenihun.
He dismissed the idea that widespread absenteeism was the candidates’ fault, emphasizing instead infrastructure breakdowns, poor planning, and digital verification failures as the real culprits.
Facial Recognition: A Missed Opportunity?
The failure of biometric systems has led many to question why facial recognition hasn’t already been implemented in Nigeria’s major exam processes.
“Why are we not ready for such technology in the 21st century?” Mr. Dele M. Oyenihun asked. “It’s not finance. It’s not manpower. It’s leadership.”
From underutilized funding to lack of political will, the root problem, he argues, is a system that resists modernization, often because some individuals benefit from the chaos.
Education, Migration & The Bigger Picture
The discussion didn’t stop at exams, it evolved into how JAMB results tie into global mobility, especially for Nigerians aspiring to study abroad.
“JAMB is the first step for many who eventually ‘Japa’ [emigrate], a pathway to UK master’s degrees, student visas, and international academic opportunities,” the host noted. Tope Samuel
With the New UK Immigration Rules tightening student routes and demanding stronger academic records and timelines, any instability in foundational exams like JAMB jeopardizes travel plans.
Systemic Corruption & Short-Lived Results
The current one-year validity of JAMB results came under fire. Unlike WAEC or SAT scores, which hold for years, JAMB scores expire after just one year.
“A child who scores 365 today but can’t use it due to illness or financial constraints should not have to rewrite the test next year,” Mr. Dele M. Oyenihun argued.
113 Centers Banned, But Is That Enough?
Even the delisting of 113 CBT centers was met with skepticism. “Malpractice is a symptom of a corrupt system,” said the guest. “Taking the exam to military barracks won’t stop corruption, it’s a system issue, not a venue issue.”
Why This Matters to You, A Travel Radio Live Angle
If you’re planning to study in the UK, JAMB is your first checkpoint. Exam delays or invalid scores can derail your journey, especially under the New UK Immigration Rules, which now scrutinize documentation, timelines, and academic progression more closely than ever.
At Travel Radio Live, we believe every policy, local or global – lands on your passport. Education access, tech readiness, and transparency at home all influence how far you can go abroad.
What’s Your JAMB Experience?
We want to hear from you! Head over to www.travelradio.live, tap the WhatsApp icon, and share your JAMB story, via text, voice, or a quick call-in. Every exam missed, every policy broken, is a lived experience worth hearing.
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