JAMB Explores Partnership with NOUN for Mega CBT Centre in Lagos
The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, led a delegation to the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Victoria Island, Lagos, to explore the possibility of transforming part of the university’s expansive facility into a mega computer-based test (CBT) centre.
Welcoming the team, NOUN Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olufemi Peters, commended Prof. Oloyede’s dedication to educational development and described the relationship between JAMB and NOUN as strong and mutually beneficial. He reaffirmed the university’s commitment to changing global perceptions about open and distance learning and expressed NOUN’s readiness to collaborate with JAMB in maximizing the use of its CBT infrastructure.
Prof. Oloyede, reflecting on his personal ties to NOUN as one of its founding lecturers, explained that he responded promptly to the university's partnership proposal because of his familiarity with the facility’s potential. He noted that JAMB aims to establish a mega CBT centre in the South-West—similar to those already operational in Kaduna and Owerri—with a capacity to host over 1,000 candidates at once.
He emphasized that Lagos, which accounts for more than 25% of JAMB’s total candidates, is an ideal location for such a facility. If realized, the centre would reduce testing days, enhance exam integrity, and streamline operations. Prof. Oloyede also advocated for better utilization of government facilities by sister agencies to improve service delivery.
During a tour of the 12-floor building, Prof. Oloyede recalled its history as a former office for education ministers. The JAMB team assessed the existing halls and IT infrastructure, which could be upgraded to serve as a large-scale CBT hub. The Board is considering setting up as many as ten centres within the complex, collectively accommodating more than 1,000 candidates simultaneously.
The Registrar was accompanied by several senior JAMB officials, including:
- Mr. Gani Abd’rahim, Director, Human Resource Management
- Mr. Shittu Billiaminu, Director, Lagos Zonal Office
- Mrs. Funmilola B-Usman, Director, ITS
- Dr. Fabian Benjamin, Public Communication Advisor
- Alh. Ashura Abdullahi, Assistant Director, Operations
- Dr. Akin Okinbaloye, Assistant Director, ITS
- Dami Bamiro, IT Consultant
- Tosin Igbalawale, COO of Simplex
- Along with other key personnel from JAMB.
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