Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has raised alarm over the treatment of young Nigerian students attending public examinations.
In a powerful statement, Obi condemned reports of teenagers — many just 15 to 17 years old — being forced to travel in the dark by 6:30 AM to reach faraway exam centres, despite widespread insecurity and unsafe travel conditions.
“Setting exams for vulnerable teenagers as early as 6:00 AM, while compelling them to traverse dangerous, unfamiliar routes, is utterly reckless,” Obi stated.
He lamented that incidents of students being involved in accidents, going missing, or suffering psychological trauma have already surfaced. “Who takes responsibility when a 15- or 16-year-old child disappears or is harmed while pursuing their right to education?” he asked.
Obi linked the crisis to a deeper systemic issue: the severe shortage of universities and examination centres in Nigeria.
With only about 200 universities serving over 230 million citizens, Nigeria maintains a troubling ratio of one university per million people.
According to UNESCO Institute for Statistics and IndexMundi, countries targeting robust economic growth and development should aim for a Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) of at least 40%. Nigeria’s GER currently stands at just 12%, far below the global standard.
Obi compared Nigeria’s situation to Indonesia, which, with a population of 280 million, boasts over 4,000 tertiary institutions — one university for every 70,000 people — and a GER exceeding 45%.
He emphasized how Indonesia’s heavy investment in education has broadened access and reduced barriers for its youth, a model Nigeria must urgently emulate.
“If Nigeria had even half of Indonesia’s educational infrastructure — around 2,000 universities — young students wouldn’t risk their lives for exams or face impossible odds gaining admission after succeeding,” Obi argued.
He reaffirmed that education is not a luxury but the most critical investment for national development.
“You cannot claim to desire development while starving the youth of access to knowledge. You cannot claim to value citizens while risking teenage lives during examination seasons,” Obi warned.
He called for aggressive, intentional expansion of Nigeria’s educational system to match the country’s growing population, ensuring safety and opportunity for future leaders.
“Our young people must not be endangered for wanting an education. We must do better. A New Nigeria is POssible,” Obi concluded.
