The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, has appealed to Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for assistance in securing land to establish additional Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres in Lagos State. Oloyede made the request during a courtesy visit to the Governor at Lagos House, Ikeja, on Tuesday.
Addressing Lagos’ Growing Demand for CBT Centres
During the visit, Oloyede highlighted the challenges Lagos faces in accommodating its high number of Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) candidates. He noted that Lagos contributes 15% of JAMB’s nationwide candidates but accounts for less than 10% of CBT centres. This discrepancy, he explained, creates logistical challenges, prolonged examination schedules, and increased pressure on existing facilities.
“Lagos contributes the highest number of UTME candidates, yet the available CBT facilities are insufficient to meet demand,” Oloyede said. “This often results in logistical difficulties and extended examination timelines.”
He referenced successful initiatives in other states like Kaduna and Imo, where JAMB constructed mega CBT centres after state governments provided land. For instance, Kaduna’s Muhammadu Buhari Mega Centre accommodates 4,400 candidates daily, with JAMB investing over ₦1.2 billion in its construction.
“Lagos, which produces 15% of JAMB candidates, deserves even greater support,” Oloyede added.
Plans for New CBT Centres in Key Lagos Areas
To address the imbalance, Oloyede urged the Lagos State Government to provide land in Ikorodu, Ojo, and Mile 2 for the construction of state-of-the-art CBT centres. He revealed that JAMB had recently acquired a five-storey building in Ogba for ₦330 million to serve as an operational base, but emphasized that more facilities are needed to adequately serve the state’s candidate population.
“This appeal is not only for the candidates but also for the state’s educational development,” he stated. “We are ready to replicate in Lagos what we have successfully done in other states.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu’s Response
Governor Sanwo-Olu praised Oloyede’s transformative leadership at JAMB and commended the board’s innovative use of technology to improve its processes, moving from manual operations to a fully computer-based testing system.
“JAMB is headed by an outstanding Nigerian who has shown that with integrity and purpose, institutions can be positively transformed,” Sanwo-Olu said. He also expressed pride in Lagos’ contributions to education and detailed the state’s initiatives to uplift the sector, including the establishment of six educational districts and the Teachers’ Merit Award program.
In response to JAMB’s request, Sanwo-Olu assured Oloyede of the state’s support. He pledged to allocate suitable plots of land in Ojo, Ikorodu, and Mile 2 to facilitate the construction of new CBT centres.
“Our goal is to ensure that students and candidates benefit from these developments,” the governor said. “We will act swiftly to finalize arrangements and deliver results before the end of this quarter.”
Future Collaboration
Sanwo-Olu also welcomed partnerships with JAMB to leverage Lagos’ public service development facilities, such as the centre in Magodo, for capacity-building initiatives. He reiterated Lagos’ commitment to supporting federal agencies and emphasized the importance of collaboration in advancing education in the state.
“The requests are well received, and we will do everything possible to make them a reality,” he concluded, promising that the state government would take swift action to implement the proposed plans.
Conclusion
The collaboration between JAMB and Lagos State Government aims to improve infrastructure, reduce logistical challenges, and provide a better examination experience for UTME candidates. With Governor Sanwo-Olu’s assurances, students in Lagos can look forward to enhanced access to modern CBT facilities in the near future.