As candidates sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), a growing online debate has brought fresh attention to a deeper question beyond academics, how prepared are students for life outside the classroom?
The conversation, monitored by The Nigeria Education News, was sparked by parenting coach Wendy Ologe, who argued that a child’s inability to independently navigate to an examination centre should not be seen as failure, but as a sign that more life skills need to be developed.
According to her, university education goes beyond passing exams, requiring students to manage time, movement, and real-life challenges without constant supervision. She suggested that in some cases, a structured gap year could help young people build confidence, responsibility, and independence before entering higher institutions.
However, her position has drawn strong reactions from parents who say the realities of insecurity in Nigeria make such expectations impractical and even dangerous.
Many respondents insisted that safety must come first, noting that children travelling alone to unfamiliar examination centres could be exposed to risks, especially in remote or volatile areas. Some parents described accompanying their children as a necessary form of protection, not overdependence.
Others also highlighted the emotional aspect, arguing that parental presence during major examinations provides reassurance that can positively impact performance. For them, support and independence are not mutually exclusive.
Several contributors shared personal experiences to counter the claim, noting that being escorted to examination centres did not limit their success later in life. Instead, they argued that growth happens over time and should not be measured by a single moment.
The discussion also reflects broader concerns about the conditions surrounding national examinations, including logistics, safety, and accessibility. In many cases, candidates are posted to centres far from home, making parental involvement almost unavoidable.
While opinions remain divided, the debate underscores a key issue in Nigeria’s education system, balancing the need to raise independent learners with the responsibility to ensure their safety in an uncertain environment.
