By: Abdullahi Inuwa
In a region where headlines have for years been dominated by insurgency, displacement and shattered classrooms, Borno State has once again offered a different narrative—one centred on hope, opportunity and educational renewal.
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum’s commissioning and handover of a multi-million naira Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) North-East Zonal Office and a modern Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centre in Maiduguri is more than another government project. It is a strategic investment that places education at the heart of the region’s recovery.
The newly completed facility, situated along the Maiduguri-Dikwa Road, is expected to transform how thousands of students across the six North-East states access tertiary admission services. Equipped with an administrative complex and a dual CBT centre capable of accommodating 500 candidates simultaneously, the project significantly expands examination capacity while reducing the burden previously faced by applicants.
For many students in the region, pursuing higher education has often involved overcoming logistical hurdles ranging from inadequate examination facilities to long-distance travel for registration and computer-based examinations. The new centre promises to change that reality.
With the ability to process more than 2,000 candidates daily, the facility is expected to ease congestion during the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), accelerate registration processes and provide a more efficient environment for prospective undergraduates.
Education experts believe that such investments extend far beyond physical infrastructure.
Every modern examination centre built in the North-East sends a powerful message that education remains one of the strongest weapons against poverty, unemployment and violent extremism. Expanding access to quality educational services also strengthens public confidence in institutions while creating opportunities for young people who represent the region’s greatest asset.
Governor Zulum has consistently argued that rebuilding schools, expanding access to learning and investing in human capital are essential pillars of long-term peace and development. The JAMB complex reflects that philosophy by complementing the state’s broader educational reforms.
Rather than limiting support to primary and secondary education, the governor’s administration is increasingly focusing on creating pathways that enable students to transition smoothly into universities, polytechnics and colleges.
The significance of the project was underscored by JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, who described the development as unprecedented in Nigeria.
According to him, no state governor had previously undertaken the independent construction of a JAMB zonal headquarters complete with a modern CBT centre before handing it over to the examination body.
Even more remarkable, Oloyede revealed that the ambitious project was completed within four months—a timeline he admitted exceeded his expectations.
Describing the centre as one of the country’s finest CBT facilities, the outgoing JAMB Registrar praised the quality of construction and the vision behind the investment.
He noted that the facility would not only simplify registration and examination processes but also enhance service delivery for students and educational institutions throughout the North-East.
For families across Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Gombe, Bauchi and Taraba states, the development offers practical benefits. Candidates will spend less time travelling long distances for examinations, while parents will face fewer financial burdens associated with registration and testing.
Beyond convenience, the centre positions Maiduguri as a regional educational hub, capable of supporting one of Nigeria’s most important examination bodies with world-class infrastructure.
Observers say the project also demonstrates the growing role of state governments in complementing federal institutions. Although JAMB is a federal agency, Borno chose not to wait for federal intervention before providing infrastructure considered critical to educational development.
That collaborative approach reflects a broader model of governance where states contribute directly to strengthening national institutions while addressing local needs.
Perhaps the most symbolic moment of the ceremony came when Governor Zulum directed that the facility be named after Professor Ishaq Oloyede in recognition of his contributions to educational reforms and the transformation of JAMB.
The gesture highlighted the partnership between state leadership and federal institutions in expanding educational opportunities for Nigerian youths.
As dignitaries including the Secretary to the Borno State Government, Bukar Tijani, incoming JAMB Registrar Professor Segun Aina, Commissioner for Education Engr. Lawan Abba Wakilbe and other senior officials witnessed the handover, the event carried a message that reached beyond Maiduguri.
It reinforced the idea that rebuilding the North-East is no longer only about restoring roads, bridges and public buildings. It is increasingly about rebuilding dreams, expanding access to knowledge and creating institutions capable of preparing young people for a competitive future.
For a region that has endured years of disruption to learning, the new JAMB office and CBT centre stands not merely as another government structure but as a symbol of resilience, confidence and renewed belief that education remains the most enduring investment any society can make.
Abdullahi Inuwa Social Commentator ainuwa303@gmail.com
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