JAMB Threat to Delist Centres Raises Fears of Another Exam Crisis For Candidates
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has threatened sanctions against centres not visible on its central monitoring system, a move that comes days after technical failures disrupted the 2026 mock Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination and left thousands of candidates stranded.
In a bulletin issued on Monday, the board warned that any accredited centre that cannot be monitored in real time risks penalties, including non-payment, invalidation of examination activities, and possible delisting. The directive follows reports that over 150 centres were not visible during the recent registration exercise.
The development has raised fresh concerns among education stakeholders, who say the tightening measures could further impact students already affected by last weekend’s disruption. During the mock examination, candidates across several centres were unable to sit for the test due to server failures, with many waiting for hours before being turned back.
Experts warn that the board’s latest stance, while aimed at curbing malpractice and improving oversight, may lead to additional uncertainty for candidates. Centres facing compliance issues could experience sudden cancellations or rescheduling, potentially disrupting students’ preparation for the main examination.
They note that the risk of exams being declared invalid due to technical monitoring failures, rather than candidate performance, raises questions about fairness and consistency in the process.
Parents have also expressed concerns over the possibility of overcrowding at compliant centres or last-minute relocations, which could place additional stress on candidates and expose them to logistical and safety challenges.
Stakeholders say the situation underscores the need for a balance between enforcing examination integrity and ensuring a stable, reliable environment for students preparing for one of the most critical assessments in their academic journey.
