By John Ogunsemore
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has strongly condemned the scheduling of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), describing it as “insensitive”.
This is contained in a Sunday statement jointly signed by NANS President, Comrade Olushola Oladoja and Public Relations Officer (PRO), Samson Ajasa Adeyemi.
The national student body said JAMB has placed students in precarious situations by assigning examination times as early as 6 am.
According to the body, this decision, given the prevailing security challenges in the country, is both inconsiderate and dangerous.
NANS said, “It is deeply troubling that students are expected to commute to examination centres in the early hours of the morning, often navigating unsafe routes and facing transportation difficulties.
“Reports indicate that some candidates have had to travel long distances, exposing them to unnecessary risks.
“The current security climate in Nigeria demands that authorities prioritise the safety and well-being of students rather than subjecting them to undue hardship.
“NANS calls on JAMB to immediately review and adjust the examination schedule to ensure that no student is required to sit for an exam before 9 am.”
The body urged Minister for Education, Tunji Alausa, to intervene and ensure that students are not placed in harm’s way due to poor planning.
“We hereby issue a 72-hour ultimatum to JAMB to revise the UTME schedule and adopt a more student-friendly approach.
“Failure to comply will leave NANS with no choice but to mobilise students nationwide for peaceful protests to demand immediate action.
“The welfare and security of Nigerian students must never be compromised.
“NANS remains committed to advocating for policies that protect students and ensure their academic pursuits are not hindered by avoidable challenges,” the statement further reads.