JAMB’s Full Automation Drive Signals New Era for Students, But Children’s Experience Must Remain the True Test
The completion of JAMB’s automation of the UTME question-authoring process is a commendable institutional achievement. However, the real measure of success lies not only in digital innovation but in how these reforms translate into tangible improvements in the lived experiences of candidates.
For millions of Nigerian children, the UTME is a defining moment. It determines access to tertiary education, shapes career trajectories, and influences long-term socio-economic mobility. Any breakdown in the examination process, whether through technical glitches, result cancellations, irregular accreditation practices, or inconsistencies across Computer-Based Test centres, can cause profound emotional distress.
Many students invest years of preparation, financial resources, and psychological energy into this single opportunity. When irregularities occur, the consequences often include anxiety, depression, loss of confidence, and in extreme cases, withdrawal from academic pursuit.
While automation of question-setting enhances security and reduces human interference, it must be matched by full implementation across all examination centres nationwide.
Expanding CBT centres from 800 to over 1,000 is a positive development, but uniformity in infrastructure, internet stability, power supply, and invigilation standards is critical. Children in rural or underserved communities must not face a different and often harsher examination reality than their urban counterparts.
A child’s right to development encompasses access to fair assessment systems that nurture potential rather than undermine it. Examination bodies carry a duty of care to ensure that technological upgrades prevent malpractice without inadvertently creating new forms of exclusion or stress.
JAMB’s reform is bold and forward-looking. Yet the ultimate goal must remain clear. Every child should enter the UTME hall confident, complete the process without disruption, and receive results that reflect merit and not systemic failure. Automation is progress. Consistent child-centered implementation is justice.
