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JAMB Defends e-Testing, CBT …Holds Last Paper-Pencil Exam, April 12
The Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, said yesterday that paper-pencil test (PPT) and computer-based test (CBT) would hold on April 12 and May 17, 2014, respectively across 2,000 centres.
Ojerinde, who stated this in an interview in Bwari, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) said the examination will be written based on Paper -Pencil-based Test (PPT) as well as Computer-Based Test (CBT) .
“We are ready for the examination even now; however, we will give them time until April 12. We are going to do the examination on April 12, for paper, pencil and dual-based test all over the country, but the CBT (Computer-Based Test), will start on May 17, and it will continue for 12 days.
“In any case we are prepared; we have 300 centres for CBT while we have 2,000 centres for PPT(Paper-Pencil Test). “This is the last time we are going to do PPT; it will be all CBT next year, we want education to move forward, one of the ways of moving it forward is to eradicate examination malpractice.
“That is our ambition and Nigeria will join the committee of nations in terms of technological development,” he said.
Ojerinde enjoined candidates to study hard to be able to pass as it will use the PPT and expressed the organisation’s resolve to eliminate examination malpractices.
The registrar explained that the choice of the CBT was to help to curb examination malpractices, release results at the same time and encourage candidates to prepare adequately.
“Our experience last year showed that the CBT candidates passed better than the PPT ones; there was no single examination malpractice, there was no missing result and answer script,” he said.
The registrar said further that the reasons for limiting the choice of candidates to one university was outcome of the meeting held sometime at the Nigerian Universities Commission.
He commended the decision as it would help to tackle problems about cost and delay experienced by candidates seeking admission through post -JAMB tests, stating that candidates were limited to choosing from four institutions as against six to achieve target goal.
“We limited them to four institutions; one university, one college of education, one polytechnic and one I.E.I. that is Institute for Entrepreneurship, because of the actions of our institutions.
“They will call both first and second choice candidates for Post -UTME, collect money from them and when the second choice candidate even scores higher than the first choice; they will prefer first choice candidates, he said.
“So, we are saying ‘take a university, let that university finish’, When it finishes, we will send the rest of the material to the polytechnic, instead of waiting for two universities. Let us make it one choice. It also will reduce cost of candidates going from one institution to another, doing post -UTME, he added.
He cautioned candidates against registering for both PPT and CBT; saying “it is not possible for somebody to register for the two, you register for only one.”
The registrar, however, warned that there would be cancellation of registration for anyone caught registering for both exams, and urged candidates wishing to change their choices of university, to do so on or before close of the registration or stand the risk of paying the sum of N1,000 as fine.
Ojerinde said that the sale of UTME form would end on March 14, adding that sites would close on March 25.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene