The Important role of Public Relations in the Library Sector

The dismal performance of candidates at the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) hit the front page of many newspapers with the usual uproar. To the government, the outcome bears eloquent testimony that the reforms in the education sector are beginning to bear fruit. The Honorable Minister of Education believes JAMB is doing a great job to ensure sanity returns to the UTME. No one would disagree, especially when the current JAMB administration's role in putting an end to the ignoble era of 'Miracle Centers’, is considered. The national discourse has been so diverse and influenced by political and ethnic inclinations, with some smart and boisterous politicians taking a swipe at the government before the JAMB’s response. No doubt, the JAMB’s swift response doused the tension, and it is highly commendable.

JAMB knows that candidates’ complaints about scores might put a question mark on its integrity, which is the hallmark of any assessment process. Quickly set up high-powered committees to investigate what was responsible, including technical glitches that happened during the 2025 UTME. Given the candidates’ emotional attachment to the UTME, a major factor, which could facilitate career path development and self-actualization, JAMB treated each identified gap on its merits and demonstrated a commitment of the body to being fair to all, without prompting from any quarters. Interestingly, the result of the re-sit examination arranged for the affected students was released, and weeks after, no complaint has emanated from any quarter. The way any issue that concerns on sensitivities and emotions of the people is handled with compassion; its memory lives forever in the heart of the people.

While we await the final statistics on the candidates’ performance at the 2025 UTME, it is increasingly becoming clearer that the impact assessment of Computer-based tests on candidates’ performance since 2018 needs to be urgently investigated. Though it might not have been part of the terms of reference for the recent investigation, one hopes it catches the JAMB’s attention soon. Also, many believe it is high time JAMB took seriously the collaboration with other stakeholders in the education sector to ensure candidates are adequately prepared to take the Computer-Based Test. I have once canvassed these positions in a blog titled ‘JAMB Data on failure rate', when the 2024 UTME statistics failure rate was released, available at https://nationallibraryofnigeria.blogspot.com/2024/06/the-jamb-data-on-failure-rate.html 

The National Library of Nigeria is already spearheading these initiatives as preliminary studies to guide policy direction on the nature and modalities for the implementation are being carried out. A preliminary report indicates that the decision to discontinue the making of the CBT model optional for UTME was premature and ill-advised, given the realities of digital in this clime. This informs the reasons the National Librarian is personally leading the advocacy for heavy investment in the Information Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure by states and local authorities for inclusivity.  The library also believes that the establishment of the CBT Practice Centre through its facilities scattered across the country, with the active support of the relevant stakeholders, with the view to providing a levelled playing ground for all the candidates. A candidate, whose first experience with computer use is the JAMB’s UTME mock examination and the second opportunity is the exams proper, is already at a disadvantaged position. Until the impact of the CBT on candidates’ performance is investigated, the position anyone maintains is speculative and not based on empirical data. 

The latest UNESCO figure on the number of students who have signed up for the Nigeria Learning Passport calls for concern. The Federal and State ministries of education should jointly review the project with a view to examining the factors responsible for the low sign-up rate and designing corrective measures, which would help more Nigerians to embrace the platform.

Lessons for all

The first lesson from the JAMB’s experience is the demonstration of Nigeria’s capacity to make governance work for all. The JAMB’s leadership acknowledges the Minister’s contributions anytime the opportunity presents itself. This shows that a leader, who is determined to attain set goals in the interest of the people, would not be held down by bureaucracy or shop for an alibi for non-performance, especially when he/she enjoys government support through regular budgetary allocation. The overall objective of reforms by the government is to ensure a functional educational system, which guarantees that knowledge and skills match the industry's needs and makes our graduates globally competitive. 

‘JAMB UTME candidates not guilty as charged’

An article by Peter Ogundoro in the online version of Sunday Punch of May 9th, 2025, caught my fancy as it captures in lucid language salient issues that must be scientifically addressed, if the sanctity of our education sector is to be restored. The mastery displayed in the use of words for the caption, ‘JAMB candidates not guilty as charged’ is salutary. The way the writer succinctly puts how our inaction or action in the education sector has brought us to the present state is most instructive. The write-up is recommended for everyone desirous of sustainable growth in the education sector, which engenders national development. The central message of the article aligns with the position the library canvassed a year ago. According to the writer, the candidates and the government appear to be ill-prepared for CBT for UTME.

Finally, I leave you to enjoy the article culled from the Sunday Punch, to appreciate that facts are sacred.

Abdulazeez Mistura K.

Deputy Director