NANS Condemns JAMB Over Alleged Regional Bias in Exam Rewrite Exercise
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Zone A, has expressed deep dissatisfaction with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) over what it describes as discriminatory practices in the ongoing exam rewrite exercise. The student body, which represents the seven Northwestern states and comprises 13 executive members, issued a strong statement calling for equity and justice for students in the region.
In the statement released to the press, the NANS Zone A leadership accused JAMB of allowing candidates from Southern Nigeria to retake their examinations while denying Northern candidates the same opportunity. The group described the move as a “glaring example of bias and inequality” and warned that such actions threaten national unity and the credibility of the education system.
“Nigeria is one nation, and JAMB is a unified examination body that should serve all Nigerian students without discrimination,” the statement read.
The student representatives further declared a vote of no confidence in the JAMB Registrar, Professor Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede, accusing him of ethno-regional bias and asserting that his conduct undermines the ideals of national integration, particularly in the sensitive education sector.
“His continued leadership under such conditions does not reflect the impartiality required of a national institution,” they stated.
The association appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Federal Ministry of Education, and other relevant authorities to intervene swiftly to resolve the situation. They urged the Federal Government to uphold fairness and ensure that students from all regions are given equal treatment.
“If Southern candidates are allowed to rewrite the exams, then Northern candidates must be granted the same opportunity. This is not just a request—it is a demand rooted in justice,” the group emphasized.
In a warning to authorities, the students said failure to act could prompt them to pursue “appropriate and lawful steps” to protect the rights of Northern students, stressing that the future of the region’s youth must not be compromised.
Despite the tension, NANS Zone A expressed hope that other Northern student leaders across the country would join them in advocating for fairness in the education system. The group highlighted that educational justice is a collective responsibility and that safeguarding it is essential to preserving national unity.
Copies of the statement have been sent to traditional leaders across the North, the Northern Governors Forum, security agencies, and top government officials in the education and defense sectors.
