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JAMB and Africa’s place in global ICT revolution

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JAMB Exam
By: IO Clement
One of Africa’s most talked-about ICT success stories in the education sector is the adoption of Computer Based Test (CBT) for entrance examination into tertiary schools organized by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, a Nigerian examination body with a core mandate to conduct Matriculation Examination for entry into all Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education in Nigeria.
Globally, there has been an ICT revolution since 2000. The internet economy has grown larger and faster than could have been reasonably expected back then.  In future, technology, connectedness, the internet-of-things all promise a more efficient, fast-paced economy set within an accessible global market. But how can Africa really harness all this change to its betterment?
For a long time, ‘creativity’ and ‘innovation’ in technology were only latent concepts in Africa in general, and Nigeria in particular, until the dawn of the digital age. ICT plays an important, valuable and critical role in education development. Its usage has become very common but its full potential is yet to be discovered. Nigeria’s JAMB is now playing a critical role in ensuring that Africa maintains its pride of place in the Global ICT arena with a particular reference to education. It is heartwarming to see that fact that developing countries have now understood the importance of ICT and have started adapting to it as a basic tool for quality education.
The trailblazing credentials of JAMB experienced a surge with the coming on board of Professor Ishaq Oloyede, who has accelerated reforms at the institution and fast-tracked innovation. JAMB is applying ICT to areas that no one would have thought possible.
The ICT mediated examination innovation by JAMB, which replaced the Paper and Pencil Based examination system that was fraught with problems of accuracy and delay in timely results’ declaration is an effective tool for integrating and automating the activities of examination system to bring reliable, efficient, transparent and robust e-examination solutions for Africa..
JAMB, especially under Professor Oleyede, has increased its institutional capacity and credibility since the introduction of the CBT in 2015. Determined to make the Computer Based Test all inclusive to different category of candidates with disabilities, JAMB embarked on nationwide training for visually impaired on the use of Apex Braille-note computer. This is quite commendable.
The Apex Braille-note computer is an electronic devise invented by the Board to enable visually impaired to take the Computer Based Test without stress like a normal Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination candidate.
The machine is affixed to a desktop computer and questions are deployed to it electronically with hearing aid. No fewer than 200 visually impaired participants in the training held at designated venues across the nation; namely South West Resource Centre in Abeokuta, Lagos , Kano, Enugu and Port Harcourt.
It is a good thing that the parliament through the Nigerian House of Representatives committee on Education has thrown its weight behind the JAMBs ICT drive with reference to the Computer Based Test (CBT) when it said the electronic test was in tandem with global dictates to sanitized the education system. “The paper Pencil Test (PPT) was cumbersome and characterized with several irregularities and unwholesome activities. The world is flying and we cannot be crawling”. The Chairman of the Nigerian House of Representatives committee on Education Hon. Zakari Mohammed was quoted to have said.
Thus, if the Board’s major objective is to completely eliminate malpractices through the conduct of CBT, it may as well have achieved it because the CBT has to a large extent eliminated malpractice in the Board’s examination process. As with everything good, there are those who will lose because of the elimination of malpractices. These are the people that pick holes in the reform and tend to highlight the few teething issues.
Irrespective of how much such people try to make a mountain out of a molehill, JAMB could compete auspiciously with any examination body in the world considering its innovation in digitizing its examination. The innovation has now restored confidence and integrity in its examination process. With the pace of the current Registrar, the body is set to become a global reference point.
From its application to obviously mundane tasks to its use for the noblest of all human endeavors, the place of information and communication technology (ICT) in today’s world cannot be over-emphasized. The fate of individuals, businesses and countries largely depends on how fast they latch on to the ICT revolution and stay ahead in the game. It is the 21st Century equivalent of the scramble for land and territory most races of humankind have been involved in from ages past.
Against the backdrop of the importance of ICT to the present era, the effort by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) which has now phased out the use of the paper and pencil method for its examinations in favour of computer-based tests, is not only a commendable step in the right direction, it is also a pointer to the fact that Africa and indeed Nigeria is playing a very crucial role in global ICT revolution.
 A disquieting percentage of graduates in the country today are not computer literate, thus, making them unemployable. This wouldn’t have been the trend if all critical stakeholders in the education string had been proactive in espousing ICT, specifically in testing candidates over the last two decades. The contemporary workplace is ICT-oriented and anyone not trained in this direction is hopelessly unfit to take on many tasks in the corporate world, which can only get more sophisticated, as technology is being daily improved to work more for the human race
 Embracing ICT for providing the robust, transparent, accurate and authenticated outputs as we have witnessed with the JAMB innovation brings substantial quality improvement in education and this needs to be extended to other examinations in the country.
Nigeria’s JAMB has taken the lead. There is no gainsaying the fact that ICT will make exam system more efficient and transparent. This will produce competent human resources, which will contribute to the development of the country. The development at JAMB, which fully digitized and modernized most of its operation is the way to go and should be rolled across others facets of the education sector.
Nigeria and notably JAMB has been highly successful in creating a modern ICT supported examination platform. Learning the lessons from JAMB, while also understanding the breadth of the application of ICT is valuable for broad goals of a smart country and the quest for efficiency. This is because the success story of JAMB’s  ICT drive will enable Nigeria and Africa to compete in a global technology economy, developing its own tech-enabled businesses, content, applications and services.
A consensus has been built around the fact that today is the era of technology which is resulting in changing the life style of people. Today many African institutions are imparting education in the field of ICT, but its application in the functioning of the system is low. The meaning of computerization is limited to just typing or surfing web; full potential of ICT has not been explored. ICT is a useful tool to have transparency, reliability and efficiency in examination system. There are tremendous facilitations integrating ICT with examination system. JAMB’s ICT innovation from what we have seen will ensure efficiency and effectiveness in the examination system and effectively deals with malpractice and inefficiency thus bringing about the much needed change.
Clement is a medical practitioner at the Harvard University, and contributed this piece from the USA.
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Lebanese expatriate worker sues GOC 2 Div, others, for alleged unlawful detention, demands N2bn as damages

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Ibrahim Nassar, a Lebanese expatriate worker with Phoenix Import and Export Limited in Kwara State, has gone to the Federal High Court, Ilorin Division, seeking an order compelling the Nigerian Army to release him immediately from his four-month detention without trial.

In a suit filed on his behalf by his counsel, the applicant identified himself as a citizen of
Lebanon with a valid passport and a lawful resident in Nigeria with a validly issued
Comprehensive Expatriate Residence Permit, and that he has been living and working
with Phoenix Import and Export Limited, Kaiama in Baruten Local Government Area,
Kwara State for some time now, without any criminal record.

In the Suit No. FHC/IL/CS/87/2025 between Ibrahim Nassar (Applicant) and the General Officer, Commanding 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Major-general Obinna Onubogu; the Chief of Army Staff and; the Nigerian Army (as 1st, 2nd and 3rd Respondents, respectively), the Lebanese complained that he was unlawfully arrested on 9th May, 2025 by the officers of the 2nd respondent at the instruction or command of the 1st respondent.

According to Nassar, he was detained for many days and was released by the Department of State Security (DSS) when he was not found culpable for any criminal activities. He said he was re-arrested on the 16th June, 2025 and has since been in detention up to now without any criminal charge against him.

Describing his arrest and detention without any justification as illegal, unwarranted, wrongful and unconstitutional, the Lebanese further told the court that he is both asthmatic and diabetic, among other serious medical conditions, and need to seek medical attention.

He alleged that while in the detention of the respondents, he was humiliated, tortured and harassed in order to self-incriminate himself, which he stood his ground against.

He further alleged that he was treated inhumanly as he was detained in a very dark and fearful confinement like a common criminal. In addition, he claimed that he was not fed well and when he ought to be fed, he was just given a very small portion of any meal available not minding the fact that he is not a Nigerian who is no exposed to any sort of foods.

The application by Ibrahim Nassar for an order for the enforcement of his fundamental
Human rights under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as
amended), the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and
Enforcement) Act CAP A9 LFN 2004, United Nations declaration of Human Rights, 1948,
and Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules, 2009, was filed by his counsel,
Prof. M.T. Adekilekun Esq, leading Shareef Mohammed Esq., Prof. A.O. Sambo, Oludare
W. Akanbi, Esq, Maryann Osuyak (Miss) and, A.S Adeyemi, Esq.

In the suit, Ibrahim Nassar is also seeking an order and declaration of the court that his continuous arrest, detention, humiliation, torture, inhuman treatment and harassment by the respondents is unlawful, illegal, ultra vires and grossly violates the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal republic of Nigeria (as amended), the African Charter on Human and peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, United Nations Declaration of Human rights, 1948.

He is also seeking an order of the court that he be paid exemplary and aggravated damages in the sum of One Billion Naira (N1, 000, 000, 000) only against the respondents jointly and severally as a result of the infringement of his fundamental rights to personal liberty and dignity of human person, harassments, intimidation, threats and public ridicule occasioned by the Respondents on the applicant.

In addition, Nassar is demanding payment of another One Billion Naira (N1, 000, 000, 000) as General Damages against the respondents jointly and severally for his unlawful detention, as well as an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Respondents by themselves, their officers, servants, agents and privies from: (i) arresting, threatening, intimidating, restraining, harassing and humiliating him or threats thereof.

In an affidavit in support of originating motion for enforcement of fundamental human
right of the applicant, one Vandi Vatiki of Czar Farms Limited, Oke oyi, Ilorin Kwara
State and Phoenix Import and Export Limited, averred that sometime on 9th May, 2025, “the officers of the Nigerian Army (the 3rd respondent) came in a gestapo manner, fully armed with weapons, and bumped into the hotel room of the applicant in Kaiama, Baruten Local Government Area, Kwara State and arrested him without warrant of arrest and any offence alleged against him.

“That when myself and applicant’s co-Lebanese present made enquiries as to the
offence committed by the applicant, no any reason whatsoever was given.

“That I know as a matter of fact that the applicant was first taken to Sobi Barracks
where he was detained unlawfully and after sometime was transferred to 2nd Division
of the Nigerian Army, Odogbo Barracks, Ibadan, Oyo State.

“That the applicant was detained without any offence alleged against him for more than
two weeks and every attempt to get the applicant released proved abortive.

“That one of the steps taken to ensure the release of the applicant was the
engagement of Rashidi Isamotu Esq., to apply for the release of applicant who upon
being engaged wrote a letter titled: “Request for Release of Ibrahim Nassar” dated 20th
May, 2025 to the 1st respondent.

“That instead of the 1st respondent to yield to the simple request since nothing
incriminating was traced to or found with the applicant, he ordered the transfer of the
applicant to the office of Department of DSS Oyo State Command, Ibadan for profiling
and further investigation, having spent two weeks with them at Odogbo Barracks,
Ibadan’

“That the office of DSS in Ibadan, upon proper profiling and investigation of the
applicant, found him not culpable for any offence hence, found no reason why it should
keep the applicant in their custody and consequently transferred the applicant to Kwara
State Command, Ilorin, the state where the applicant was arrested.

“That on getting to Ilorin, the DSS in Ilorin too found nothing incriminating about the applicant and consequently released the applicant without any further delay or hindrance whatsoever.

“That the applicant thought the storm was over and was making attempt to settle down
and attend to his health which has deteriorated due to the unlawful detention,
humiliation and torture meted against him by the 1st respondent and other officers of
the 3rd respondent, he was re-arrested on the 16th June, 2025 by the officers of
the 3rd respondent at the mandate and command of the 1st respondent without warrant
of arrest.

“That the applicant upon being re-arrested on 16th June, 2025 was taken straight to
Odogbo Barracks of the 2 Division of the 3rd respondent like the previous arrest and has
been unlawfully and wrongfully detained since then under the watch of the 1st
respondent who the 2nd respondent failed to check (despite having knowledge of the
unlawful arrest) without any crime alleged against or charge framed against him till
now.

“That attempt was made to secure the release of the applicant again by still engaging
the services of Rasidi Isamotu Esq to write a complaint to the Chief of Army staff, the
2nd respondent in respect of the conduct of the 1st respondent and his officers on the
unlawful detention of the applicant.

That the said Rashidi Isamotu wrote the complaint on the 19th June, 2025 and same
was received and acknowledged by the office of 2nd respondent at Army Headquarters,
FCT, Abuja on the 26th June, 2025.

“That the family and friends of the applicant are in disarray now as nothing is even
heard of the applicant again, making them to be subjected to psychological torture, to
the point that other expatriates working with our company are now living in fear and
trembling as a result of the illegal action of the respondents.

“That sequel to the above, many (if not all) of our expatriates have left the country because they feel that their lives are not safe and secured with the inhuman treated made against the applicant coupled with the unlawful arrest and detention. It could be anybody.

That the applicant has not been charged with any offence before any court of Law in
Nigeria.

“That if this Honourable Court do not intervene as a matter of urgency the life of the
applicant is under imminent threat and may lead to his death.

That unless this application is granted, the applicant will continue to suffer violation of
his fundamental rights of freedom of movement and personal liberty as well as dignity
of human person.

As of the time of this report, the 2nd Division of the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Army headquarters, Abuja, were still to respond to a message sent over the weekend, seeking their comments on the allegations by the Lebanese.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

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Oluwole Foundation Lifts 70 Branch Members Of C&S Church in Ilorin

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Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

Barely a month after empowering no fewer than 70 members at the headquarters of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church Worldwide in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, the Oluwole Foundation has extended the noble gesture to 24 branches of the Church within Ilorin metropolis and Oke-Oyi.

In the new dispensation, the Oluwole Foundation provided material and financial support to additional 70 beneficiaries, costing the Foundation about N37m.

Fielding questions from journalists on the sideline of the programme, the Chairman of the Foundation, Pastor Moses Ademola Popoola, said the extension of the empowerment programme this year to the branches of the Church was in obedience to divine instruction and as a means to tackle poverty within the Church community.

“We have 62 branches under our Church, but this is the first time we are going beyond our headquarters. For now, we have covered 24 Churches and empowered 70 people, spending close to N37 million. This is not just charity; it’s also evangelism. Some people will not be converted through preaching but through welfare,” Pastor Popoola explained.

He urged beneficiaries to take the gesture seriously, work hard, and extend help to others, assuring the congregants of further expansion of the empowerment programme to cover more beneficiaries in the coming years.

“They should not see this as a national cake. Be prudent, save, grow your business, and from what you have, help someone else. That way, we help the family, society, and the nation,” he cautioned.

Pastor Popoola also called on other foundations, especially those owned by Christians, to carry out their work with sincerity, rather than for personal gain. “This service is first to God, then to society. When we help people genuinely, we reduce poverty, crime, and unemployment.”

The cleric, however, stressed the need for the government to prioritise agriculture and rural development in order to tackle poverty and unemployment ravaging the nation.

He added: “Every wealthy nation built its economy on agriculture. So, government should secure our farmlands, provide tractors, and support our farmers holistically. Let each region focus on its strength, like cocoa in the West and groundnut in the North. We must also develop rural areas with electricity, motorable roads, hospitals, and jobs to curb rural-urban migration.”

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Janet Shaba, who expressed gratitude to the Oluwole Foundation for the kind gesture, promised that they would make judicious use of the items received.

End

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Audu Ogbeh’s death a big loss for North Central: Kwara Gov

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Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has expressed sadness over the death of former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh.

Governor AbdulRazaq said the death of Chief Audu Ogbeh is a big loss to the North Central Region, calling him a statesman, thoughts leader, and nationalist.

“Chief Audu Ogbeh was a dependable leader of our region. He earned the respect of all on account of his outstanding leadership and service to the nation at different times, especially during his time as Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development,” the Governor said in a statement on Sunday.

Governor AbdulRazaq has, however, sent his heartfelt condolences to the people and government of Benue State and to his family and associates.

He prayed to God to give the family the strength to bear the huge loss.

End

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