Parents Turn CBT Center to Prayer Camp for High Scores of Wards
In a scene that underscores the emotional and cultural weight of academic success in Nigeria, a group of parents were seen engaging in passionate prayer and worship outside a Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Computer-Based Test (CBT) centre during the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The viral video, originally shared on TikTok, shows parents raising their hands in prayer, some visibly moved to tears, as they petitioned for divine success on behalf of their children writing the JAMB exams inside the centre.
The video has stirred widespread reactions online, with many Nigerians expressing both empathy and concern over the intensity of the pressure placed on students.
While the gesture reflects the deep-rooted culture of parental support in Nigeria’s education system, it also draws attention to a growing challenge. The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has in recent years issued strict directives barring parents and guardians from loitering around examination venues.
The board argues that such presence often leads to congestion, distractions, and potential security breaches.
Earlier this week, JAMB reiterated its position, directing security personnel to arrest parents found hanging around CBT centres during exam hours.
According to a JAMB official quoted by The Gazette, “Parents have no business being at the centres. They should trust the system and allow their children to face the test independently.”
Despite the official stance, scenes like this continue to occur, suggesting a disconnect between administrative policy and the lived realities of families who see these exams as a gateway to a better future.
Many parents, especially in lower-income communities, view their children’s academic success as the only path to upward mobility—and are thus emotionally and spiritually invested in the outcome.
The 2025 UTME commenced nationwide on April 19 and is scheduled to run through early May. JAMB reports that over 1.9 million candidates are sitting for the exam this year across hundreds of accredited CBT centres.
As social media continues to spotlight these moments of fervent support, education analysts urge stakeholders to consider not only the academic rigor of these assessments but also the social and emotional frameworks that surround them.
