In response to growing concerns over Nigeria’s Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination crisis, the Concerned Parents & Educators Initiative (CPE) convened a high-level virtual meeting on Wednesday, May 21, 2025.
Themed “JAMB Crisis: Way Forward,” the Zoom-hosted session brought together education stakeholders, technology innovators, and parents to discuss practical solutions to one of the country’s most pressing academic challenges.
The webinar was hosted by Yinka Ogunde, the Founder of CPE, and featured two prominent speakers: Joshua Ozugbakun, Head of Strategy and Business Development at Tuteria, and Alex Onyia, CEO of Educare.
The session was streamed on Facebook to allow for broader public engagement, despite a few technical hitches experienced at the start of the meeting.
A Deep Dive into the JAMB Crisis
The panel began by analyzing the 2025 JAMB results, which have sparked national outrage due to widespread poor performance and allegations of regional bias. While some parents shared positive outcomes, others voiced concerns about fairness and consistency in grading. Helen, a participant, argued that the crisis cannot be blamed solely on JAMB or teachers, highlighting the importance of active parental involvement in students’ academic lives.
Joshua Ozugbakun also warned against the growing trend of “outsourced parenting.” He emphasized that successful education requires full-time engagement from parents, not just financial investment.
Drawing from personal experience, he illustrated how close parental monitoring can positively shape a child’s academic direction.
Alex Onyia addressed technical shortcomings in the JAMB CBT (Computer-Based Testing) system, noting the urgent need for reform. He advocated for a shift to cloud-based infrastructure to enhance the reliability and flexibility of exam delivery. He also recommended increasing the number of CBT centers, especially in underserved and rural areas, to improve access and safety for candidates.
Exam Accessibility and Equity
Participants expressed concern about students in rural areas who lack electricity and access to computers. Alex clarified that JAMB exams are conducted using offline servers connected to the cloud, reducing dependence on real-time internet access. However, he acknowledged that infrastructure development remains crucial.
To solve issues of capacity and overcrowding in public schools, Alex proposed a government-private school partnership model. He suggested that underused private schools could absorb more students if supported with public funding. He also recommended that poorly managed public schools be handed over to efficient organizations, such as faith-based institutions, under performance contracts.
Addressing Teacher Quality and Exam Content
Joshua identified a key root of poor performance: the declining quality of teachers. He called for nationwide investment in teacher training programs and stricter quality controls. He also pushed for a shift in the structure of JAMB questions, urging the board to introduce more critical thinking-based items rather than encouraging rote memorization.
Tackling Malpractice Through Technology
Both speakers supported the need to use technology as a tool to curb exam malpractice.
Alex emphasized that well-designed systems can enforce better behavior, noting that stronger fraud detection protocols, data monitoring, and integrity audits could drastically reduce cheating.
Proposed Solutions and Next Steps
The panelists and audience reached a consensus on a series of action points to restore public trust in JAMB and improve the exam system:
1. JAMB should offer multiple exam windows annually, starting with at least two sittings per year.
2. Transition to cloud-based system architecture for improved flexibility and fault tolerance.
3. Strengthen fraud detection systems to curb examination malpractice.
4. Increase collaboration with private schools to expand educational capacity and raise standards.
5. Provide detailed performance analytics to schools for targeted improvements.
6. Integrate critical thinking questions into JAMB exams.
7. Expand the geographic reach of CBT centers, particularly to rural areas.
8. Invest in digital literacy programs for students in disadvantaged communities.
9. Enhance quality assurance and monitoring systems for all CBT centers.
10. Encourage parents to take an active role in preparing their children for computer-based exams.
Moving Forward
CPE emphasized that the meeting is the first in a series of sustained engagements aimed at reforming Nigeria’s examination and education systems. The group plans to organize follow-up sessions to evaluate the progress of proposed recommendations and continue fostering collaboration between government agencies, private sector leaders, educators, and parents.
