Kano, Adamawa, and Cross Rivers States Suspend April 2025 Sanitation Exercise for JAMB Examinations

In a move to ensure the smooth conduct of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) organized by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), several Nigerian states have announced the suspension of their monthly environmental sanitation exercises scheduled for Saturday, April 26, 2025. The decision reflects the priority placed on education and the need to provide unhindered access for candidates traveling to examination centers across the country. The states that have confirmed the suspension include Kano, Adamawa, Cross River, and Enugu.

Background on Environmental Sanitation Exercises

In Nigeria, many states observe a monthly environmental sanitation exercise, typically held on the last Saturday of each month. During this period, residents are required to clean their surroundings, and movement is often restricted for a few hours to enforce compliance. While this initiative promotes public hygiene and environmental cleanliness, it can pose challenges for events requiring free movement, such as nationwide examinations like the JAMB UTME.

The JAMB UTME is a critical examination for Nigerian students seeking admission into tertiary institutions. Scheduled to commence on April 25, 2025, the examination requires candidates to travel to designated centers, often across state lines. Recognizing the potential conflict between the sanitation exercise and the examination, state governments have taken proactive steps to suspend the restrictions.

States That Suspended Sanitation Exercises

Kano State

The Kano State Government, under the leadership of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, announced the suspension of the April 2025 environmental sanitation exercise. The decision was made to prevent disruptions for JAMB candidates traveling to their examination centers. The state’s Commissioner for Environment emphasized that the suspension would ensure students could move freely without the constraints of movement restrictions.

Adamawa State

In Adamawa State, the government canceled the sanitation exercise scheduled for Saturday, April 26, 2025. The announcement was made to facilitate the seamless movement of students participating in the JAMB UTME. The state government urged residents to cooperate and support the decision, highlighting the importance of education and the need to prioritize the welfare of candidates.

Cross River State

Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State approved the suspension of the April 2025 sanitation exercise to accommodate JAMB candidates and examination officials. The state government noted that the decision was necessary to ensure that candidates could access their examination centers without delays caused by sanitation-related restrictions. Residents were encouraged to maintain cleanliness voluntarily while supporting the examination process.

Enugu State

The Enugu State Government also canceled its sanitation exercise for Saturday, April 26, 2025. The suspension was announced to enable candidates to participate in the JAMB UTME without hindrance. The state’s Ministry of Environment issued a statement urging residents to comply with the directive and support the smooth conduct of the examination.

Implications and Public Response

The suspension of the sanitation exercises in these states has been widely welcomed by students, parents, and education stakeholders. The decision underscores the commitment of state governments to prioritize education and ensure equal opportunities for all candidates. By removing logistical barriers, the states aim to create a conducive environment for the successful administration of the JAMB UTME.

However, some environmental advocates have raised concerns about the potential impact of skipping the sanitation exercise on public hygiene. In response, state officials have encouraged residents to maintain cleanliness voluntarily and have assured that the sanitation program will resume in subsequent months.

Conclusion

The suspension of the April 2025 environmental sanitation exercise in Kano, Adamawa, Cross River, and Enugu demonstrates a pragmatic approach to balancing public health initiatives with educational priorities. As thousands of candidates prepare to write the JAMB UTME, these states have taken a significant step to ensure that logistical challenges do not impede their success. The move has been lauded as a testament to the importance of education in Nigeria’s development agenda.

For further information on the JAMB UTME schedule and guidelines, candidates are advised to visit the official JAMB website or contact their respective examination centers.