The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) on Tuesday said the shortage of approved Computer-Based Test centres in Cross River State is putting students at risk and affecting their access to the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.
This was made known in a press release issued by its Joint Campus Council. The Council said that thousands of candidates are facing serious challenges due to the limited number and poor spread of centres.
It explained that many students, parents, and guardians have complained about high costs, long travel, and safety concerns linked to the situation.
NANS cited data from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board showing that 34,605 candidates registered for the exam in Cross River State.
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However, the state has only six approved CBT centres. Most of these centres are located in Calabar, leaving other areas with little or no access.
NANS said this has forced many candidates to travel far distances to write the exam, noting that some students are posted to towns like Obudu, Ikom, and even outside the state to Akwa Ibom State.
As revealed in the statement, such trips come with “exorbitant transportation and accommodation costs” and require candidates to leave home very early, sometimes as early as 5:00 a.m.
NANS also reported a security incident linked to the situation. It said that on 17 April 2026, sea pirates attacked a passenger boat on the Calabar–Oron waterway.
The Council stated that “15–20 passengers, 8 of whom were UTME candidates, were abducted.” It maintained that security agencies have confirmed the attack and started rescue efforts.
The association described the incident as a direct result of poor planning and lack of adequate centres. It said no student should risk their life to sit for an exam. The Council, however, commended security agencies for their response.
NANS then called on JAMB to take urgent steps. It asked the board to approve more CBT centres across the state and ensure that candidates are posted to locations close to their homes.
It also called for a special window for candidates to change their centres where necessary.
NANS further urged both the federal and state governments to improve security on major routes and waterways during the exam period.
It also appealed to the Cross River State Government to partner with JAMB to build more standard CBT centres, advising candidates to remain calm, stay focused, and report their experiences through official channels.
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