Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has pledged to support the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s (JAMB) efforts to address the shortage of testing facilities for candidates writing matriculation exams in Lagos.
The governor emphasized the importance of collaborating with JAMB to expand the capacity of computer-based test centres, noting that such efforts would significantly improve the performance of admission seekers in the state.
Sanwo-Olu made this commitment on Tuesday during a courtesy visit by JAMB’s top management team, led by its Registrar, Prof. Is’haq Oloyede, at the Lagos House in Alausa.
Applicants in Lagos make up 15 percent of the total candidates who sit for matriculation examinations each year. However, the Board often encounters challenges in organising the test for applicants in the state.
According to the Board, the Mainland area of Lagos is the most affected, with candidates in these overburdened communities sometimes taking their matriculation exams up to 10 days beyond the standard exam period.
Sanwo-Olu, who described Prof. Oloyede as “outstanding Nigerian” serving with “uncommon passion and integrity”, expressed the state government’s willingness to support the Board in raising the capacity of its testing centres.
The governor said: “Having learnt of the inadequate testing facilities being experienced by JAMB in Lagos, the least we can do is to partner with the Board towards expanding the current capacity towards our own benefit. We will look into the requests and provide sizable plots of land in Ojo and Ikorodu for the Board.
“The main beneficiaries of this intervention will be our indigenes who will take the matriculation exams in conducive environments that will enhance their performance and aid their ability. As a sub-national Government, we are ready to take the discussion with the Board forward; we will look for land in identified places to build testing facilities.”
In his remarks, Oloyede thanked Sanwo-Olu for considering the Board’s requests and for pledging collaboration.
The JAMB Registrar said the new testing centres, if approved, would also serve reputable agencies of government in Lagos to conduct recruitment tests for their employees.
