By Uzo Ugwunze
A coalition of women’s organisations in Anambra State on Tuesday staged a peaceful protest at the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) office, demanding an urgent audit and sweeping reforms of the Board’s operations following controversies surrounding the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The protest was led by the Women’s Aid Collective (WACOL) in partnership with several civil society organisations including the South-East Human Rights Civil Society Situation Room, South-East Women’s Network (SEWNET), and the 50/50 Action Women Group.
Clad in black attire, the protesters decried the alleged systemic failure of JAMB’s examination process, especially as it affected candidates in the South-East and Lagos State.
They carried placards with bold inscriptions such as: “WACOL stands for students’ rights,” “Stop sabotaging South-East students’ future,” and “We demand fairness in UTME for all regions.”
Reading the group’s position, WACOL’s Legal Officer in Anambra, Ifeyinwa Ofodile-Nwafor, demanded a comprehensive audit of JAMB’s operations over the past five years.
The coalition also urged South-East governors to take proactive measures to prevent a repeat of this year’s alleged mishaps.
The women called for a full investigation to identify and penalise any officials found culpable in the technical glitches that marred the UTME.
They also demanded public accountability and the reorientation of JAMB leadership to ensure impartiality in handling national responsibilities.
“We seek equity in all regions of the country. No student should suffer discrimination or technical failures that jeopardise their academic future,” Ofodile-Nwafor said.
The coalition further demanded an official apology to students affected by the disruptions and called for a more student-friendly examination environment going forward.
Responding to the protesters, JAMB’s Anambra State Coordinator, Jema Iheme, assured the public of the Board’s commitment to integrity and service.
She explained that the examination was quickly rescheduled to avoid further clashes with ongoing WAEC and upcoming NECO exams.
“We conducted the rescheduled exams on Friday, Saturday, and even Sunday,” she said. “We made special provisions for candidates who missed earlier sessions and compensated them for the inconvenience. Such errors will not happen again.”
Iheme noted that JAMB operated 33 centres across the state, with four to five sessions per centre to accommodate affected candidates, especially in highly populated areas like Nnewi.
The protest has since sparked renewed calls for education sector reforms, transparency, and improved student welfare across Nigeria.