Sanwo-Olu Unveils Plan for More JAMB CBT Centres in Lagos

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving education by announcing plans to build additional Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres across the state.

During a meeting with JAMB Registrar Prof. Ishaq Oloyede at the Lagos House in Ikeja, Sanwo-Olu revealed plans to allocate plots of land in Ojo, FESTAC, Ikorodu, and Mile 12 for the construction of these centres. He emphasized that the initiative aims to ease access for candidates and support JAMB’s mission. “Education is one of the strongest tools you can give to a human being,” Sanwo-Olu stated, highlighting its role in driving economic growth.

The governor also underscored his administration’s various educational initiatives, including the Teacher’s Merit Award, which rewards outstanding educators with training opportunities, financial incentives, and vehicles to promote excellence in teaching. “We will continue to encourage people to stay in the teaching profession. That is the only way to keep it alive,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu disclosed a partnership with a public school in Singapore to enhance staff development, further strengthening Lagos’ position as a hub for quality education. He also praised Prof. Oloyede for his transformative leadership at JAMB, citing integrity, dedication, and excellence as key to the institution’s recent achievements.

Reaffirming Lagos State’s commitment to collaborating with JAMB, Sanwo-Olu stressed the importance of partnerships in creating educational opportunities for youth. “Together, we can achieve significant milestones to benefit Lagos and the entire country by enhancing the educational landscape and creating opportunities for our youths,” he said.

In response, Prof. Oloyede commended Lagos State for its support and highlighted the need for more CBT centres, noting that Lagos accounts for 15% of candidates sitting for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) but hosts fewer than 10% of the country’s CBT centres. He also appealed for the relocation of JAMB’s office from Ikoyi to a more central location to better serve mainland-based candidates, who constitute 90% of Lagos’ examinees.

“We seek partnership in sensitization programmes because preparing students for examinations requires collaboration with the state government,” Oloyede added.