An invigilator at the recently concluded Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) has revealed a worrying lack of computer literacy among many candidates, highlighting a major issue in Nigeria’s education system.

In a post shared on social media, the invigilator, identified as Eniolaoluwa, disclosed that in a hall of 250 students, only about 10 were able to competently operate a computer. She described how the majority of candidates struggled with basic tasks such as using a mouse, selecting answers, scrolling, and typing on the keyboard.

“Many of the students were terrified at the sight of the mouse,” she wrote. “They couldn’t left-click, couldn’t pick answers, and couldn’t delete mistakes. It’s alarming.”

Since JAMB introduced the Computer-Based Test (CBT) format in 2013, there have been ongoing challenges with candidates adapting to the system. Despite efforts by JAMB to familiarize candidates with the format through mock exams and instructional videos, the invigilator noted that the issue persists.

“JAMB has provided mock exams and even instructional videos on how to use the system before the test begins, but many students still find it difficult to understand. Some even raised irrelevant concerns during the exam, such as their pictures not appearing in the tutorial video,” she added.

This revelation has sparked fresh concerns about the state of education in Nigeria, especially in rural areas where access to computers and digital literacy programs is limited. The invigilator’s account underscores the urgent need for schools to better prepare students for the digital demands of modern education, especially as exams like JAMB rely heavily on computer-based formats.