JAMB targets Ikorodu, Ojo, Mile 2 for New CBT Centres, appeals to Sanwo-Olu for land

L-R: The Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Is-haq Oloyede receiving the  Lagos State government’s plaque from the Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu during a courtesy visit at Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, on Tuesday, 21 January 2025.

Published By: Kazeem Ugbodaga

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof Ishaq Oloyede, has appealed to the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for support in establishing additional Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres in the state.

Oloyede made this appeal during a courtesy visit to the Governor at the Lagos House, Ikeja, on Tuesday.

During the meeting, the JAMB Registrar highlighted the challenges facing Lagos State in accommodating its high number of candidates for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). According to him, 15% of JAMB candidates nationwide are from Lagos, yet the state accounts for less than 10% of CBT centres.

“Your Excellency, Lagos contributes the highest number of candidates for UTME examinations, yet the available CBT facilities are insufficient to meet demand. This often leads to prolonged examination schedules and logistical challenges,” Oloyede stated.

He referenced similar initiatives in other states, such as Kaduna and Imo, where JAMB constructed mega CBT centres after state governments provided land.

For instance, he noted that Kaduna’s Muhammadu Buhari Mega Centre, with a capacity of 1,100 seats, conducts examinations for 4,400 candidates daily.

“We have invested over ₦1.2 billion in Kaduna and ₦700 million in Imo to construct state-of-the-art CBT centres. Lagos, which produces 15% of JAMB candidates, deserves even more,” he added.

The Registrar further explained the logistical challenges caused by the uneven distribution of candidates and infrastructure in Lagos. While 90% of candidates reside on the Mainland, JAMB’s office and limited facilities are located on the Island.

To address this, Oloyede revealed that JAMB had recently acquired a five-storey building in Ogba for ₦330 million to serve as a new operational base.

However, he stressed that this solution is insufficient and urged the Governor to provide suitable plots of land in areas such as Ikorodu, Ojo, and Mile 2 to facilitate the construction of CBT centres.

“This appeal is not only for the candidates but also for the state’s educational development. We believe Lagos deserves more support, and we are ready to replicate what we have done in other states,” he concluded.

Responding, Governor Sanwo-Olu lauded Oloyede for his transformative leadership of the organisation.

Describing Oloyede as a remarkable and committed leader, Sanwo-Olu said, “JAMB is headed by an outstanding Nigerian who has demonstrated that with integrity and purpose, institutions can be turned around positively. We are proud of what you have achieved and where you are taking JAMB.”

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The governor commended the board’s innovative use of technology to improve its processes, highlighting the evolution of JAMB from its earlier manual operations to its current Computer-Based Testing (CBT) system.

He recounted memories of the manual era, describing it as a challenging time for candidates, and expressed admiration for the board’s progress under Oloyede.

Sanwo-Olu emphasised the Lagos State Government’s dedication to education and detailed various initiatives aimed at uplifting the sector.

He outlined the establishment of six educational districts in  Lagos, overseen by former principals and teachers, to enhance professionalisation and efficiency in the teaching profession.

“We have also introduced a Teachers’ Merit Award, where outstanding educators are recognised and rewarded with brand-new vehicles, cash donations, and training opportunities. This is part of our commitment to ensuring that the teaching profession remains vibrant and impactful,” the governor said.

In response to JAMB’s requests for support, Sanwo-Olu assured Oloyede that the state government would allocate suitable plots of land in Ojo, Ikorodu, and Mile 2 for JAMB’s use.

He added that Lagos would collaborate with JAMB to improve infrastructure and provide conducive environments for its operations.

The governor further noted that Lagos houses one of the best public service staff development centres in Nigeria, located in Magodo, and welcomed potential partnerships with JAMB to leverage the state’s facilities for capacity-building programmes.

Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed the state’s commitment to supporting federal agencies, particularly those impacting education.

“The requests are well received, and we will do everything possible to make them a reality. Our goal is to ensure that students and candidates benefit from these developments,” he stated.

Expressing gratitude for JAMB’s visit and kind words about Lagos State’s achievements, Sanwo-Olu promised swift action on the identified areas of collaboration

“Before the end of this quarter, we hope to finalise arrangements and deliver results for the benefit of our children and future generations,” he concluded.