Parents and guardians in Sardauna Local Government Area (LGA) have staged a protest over the alleged removal of the area’s only Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Computer-Based Test (CBT) centre, just ahead of the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

The peaceful demonstration took place at the affected centre in Gembu, the administrative headquarters of the council. Protesters warned that the delisting would impose significant financial burdens on families and restrict access to tertiary education for candidates in the region. They called on authorities to urgently reverse the decision and restore the centre.

Under JAMB’s 2026 guidelines, towns with fewer than three accredited CBT centres are not eligible to host UTME registration or examinations. As a result, Sardauna LGA’s only CBT centre was reportedly delisted, forcing candidates to travel long distances to neighbouring LGAs for registration and exams.

Parents noted that candidates from Sardauna may now incur expenses ranging from N130,000 to N220,000 for transportation, accommodation, feeding, and registration fees. Estimated costs for specific areas include:

• Ndum–Yaji to Gembu and onward to Bali LGA: N98,700
• Kan Iyaka: N108,700
• Mbamnga: N68,700
• Gembu residents: at least N62,700

These amounts include the official JAMB registration and mock examination fee of N8,700 and do not cover the additional trip for the actual UTME, which may require candidates to travel as far as Jalingo or Zing.

Education stakeholders described the development as “worrisome,” noting that despite Taraba State’s free education policy, families now face heavy out-of-pocket expenses for external examinations. They warned that students from Sardauna LGA could be disadvantaged compared to peers in areas with accessible CBT centres.

Community leaders, parents, and education advocates have appealed to the state government and JAMB to reconsider the policy and restore at least one CBT centre in Sardauna to alleviate the financial burden and ensure equitable access to tertiary education.

Principal of Government Day Secondary School, Gembu, Juyohson Timothy, expressed surprise that the centre was delisted without consulting the community. He urged JAMB leadership to restore the centre promptly, highlighting its importance in supporting candidates over the past five years.

Attempts to reach JAMB leadership in the state were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.