By: Fémí Emmanuel
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is once again at the center of national debate — not for policy deliberations, but due to the unrelenting wave of examination malpractice, now increasingly aided by parents and guardians, who should uphold the integrity.
Despite clear warning signs, obvious evidences that the road being taken holds a lot of implications, many Nigerians chose to ignore the systemic abuse within the examination system. Today, Chairman, Oyo State Project Performance Monitoring Project, Engineer, Open Salau averred, “like the previous shortcomings, the consequences are glaring and stare us in the face”. Like the experience in other areas of our national life, the honest candidates are being sidelined, while those who manipulate the system continue to thrive, eroding trust and fairness in one of Nigeria’s most crucial educational gateways.
Significantly, among the disturbing trends is the growing parental complicity in exam fraud. While society rightly condemns traditional theft and smart moves by those who should know better, the internet fraudster—many of whom manipulate systems like JAMB; are celebrated, sometimes even supported by their own families.
Consequently, JAMB, like many sectors in Nigeria, is battling against entrenched malpractice. Under the leadership of the current registrar, Professor Isiaq Oloyede significant efforts have been made to sanitize the system. However, concerns persist over the agency’s recent tilt toward profit-making, in contrast to global standards, where access to higher education is prioritized over competition and revenue generation.
In Nigeria, the pressure to succeed begins as early as kindergarten, with students trained not just to learn, but to outscore their fellow. This highly competitive model, fueled by systemic corruption, continues to fail the nation, fail the individuals except those who benefit from the lapses.
As Chinua Achebe titled literature once echoed the implications, which screams: Things Fall Apart; reminds us ultimately what should be expected. Frankly speaking, rebuilding Nigeria requires collective responsibility. It is not solely the job of government officials, or agency heads. If the current JAMB leadership succeeds in eradicating malpractice, perhaps the most honorable move would be to step aside; to preserve his integrity and set an example for future leaders.
A word is enough for the wise.
God bless Nigeria.
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