The Ag. Director, Lagos Zonal Office of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Mr. Hakeem Abdulhameed, has called on Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres to uphold the high standards associated with the Board by operating transparently and placing the interests of candidates at the heart of their service delivery.
Abdulhameed made the call during an interactive meeting with representatives of accredited CBT centres in Lagos, where he commended them for their partnership with the Board over the years and while also highlighting the important role they play in sustaining the integrity of the Board’s automated services.
He noted that the partnership has remained a source of strength and a factor in the successes being recorded in many areas by the Board.
He stressed that the privilege of providing services on behalf of the Board comes with a responsibility, which is to comply strictly with established rules and regulations. Additionally, the Ag. Director expressed concerns over reports of candidates being overcharged for services, warning the CBT centre operators against practices capable of exploiting candidates or tarnishing the image of the Board. “We need to have partners that are credible, not those who will tarnish the image of the Board,” he stated. He particularly cautioned CBT centres against relating with unauthorised individuals, who might be parading themselves as JAMB consultants, and advised centre operators to seek clarification directly from the Board whenever they require assistance or guidance.
He also requested CBT centre owners to ensure that JAMB routers and other facilities remain at their approved locations while also ensuring that unauthorized persons are not granted access to their facilities without approval from the Zonal Office or appropriate authority.
Furthermore, the Ag. Director stressed the need for CBT centres to maintain facilities that meet the required standards, including adequate number of computer systems, reliable alternative power supply, functional air-conditioning systems and stable connectivity. He stated that accredited CBT centres are expected to have the required 275 systems connected and operational, while also ensuring that their facilities remain accessible for monitoring by the Board at all times. He encouraged operators to be open about their challenges, noting that transparency would enable the Board to identify areas where intervention or support might be required.
The Ag. Director further urged the centre proprietors to explore alternative energy sources, particularly solar power, as a more sustainable way of reducing their dependence on generators amidst the rising cost of fuel.
In their reactions, the centre operators used the opportunity afforded by the meeting to highlight some of the challenges affecting their operations, including rising running costs, network disruptions, accreditation preparations and utility expenses. They, therefore, appealed for adequate notice ahead of the annual accreditation exercise. They also requested the restoration of the autobot feature, which they said would help them reduce the cost of powering their centres.
They also suggested the provision of alternative network options to minimize disruptions occasioned by network failures. On the payment processes, the Ag. Director urged the centres to progressively adopt cashless transactions, noting that this would promote transparency and help sanitise their operations. He urged the centres to strengthen their internal controls and close any loopholes that could facilitate the exploits of fraudulent elements or other unauthorized persons.
He also advised CBT centres to verify candidates’ admission documentation properly when processing non-regular services to ensure that the appropriate services are provided.
The meeting ended with the expression of shared commitment by the Board and CBT operators to strengthen existing collaboration and maintain the standards required for effective service delivery. Speaking on behalf of the CBT centres, Mr. Banjo Adekunle, expressed appreciation to the Ag. Director for providing an opportunity for open engagement with the Board, which has enabled the participants to share their concerns. He also commended the functionaries of the State Office for their support and continued engagement with CBT centre
