RismadarVoice Reporters, April 21, 2026
In Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, a quiet but far-reaching transformation is reshaping access to education, blending digital infrastructure with targeted human capital development.
At the centre of this shift is a renovated Computer-Based Test (CBT) facility, now upgraded into a fully functional, solar-powered examination hub.
According to the centre administrator, Mr Owoidighe Ibiok, the upgrade was carried out shortly after the assumption of office by the current administration of the Local Government Chairman, Hon. Alfred Charles.
The facility now houses 200 computers and has been accredited by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) following a successful inspection. It is currently the only CBT centre of its kind within the local government area.
Beyond its scale, the centre stands out for its energy model. Powered entirely by solar energy, it operates round the clock, offering uninterrupted access to candidates preparing for computer-based examinations. Students from within and outside the area now use the centre not only for examinations but also for practice sessions designed to build familiarity with the CBT format.
However, stakeholders say the impact of the intervention extends beyond infrastructure.
In 2025, Hon. Alfred Charles expanded educational support in the LGA through the distribution of free JAMB registration forms to students, alongside organised tutorial classes aimed at improving performance in national examinations. The initiative, officials say, was designed to reduce financial barriers, improve access to tertiary education.
Out of the beneficiaries, 53 students reportedly gained admission into various tertiary institutions and were subsequently awarded scholarships by the local government to support their studies.
For many of the recipients, the intervention has been life-changing.
Victoria Sunday Eshiet, now studying Medicine and Surgery, described the support as timely, noting that it eased the financial burden on her academic journey.
Similarly, Ekemini Christian Ntuk, an Electrical/Electronic Engineering student, said his path to higher education began with the free JAMB form, followed by tutorial support that helped him secure admission and ultimately benefit from the scholarship scheme.
For Mfonobong Esema Nkereuwem, a Medicine and Surgery student at the University of Uyo, the programme represents more than personal advancement, but a broader opportunity for students in the area to pursue higher education without overwhelming financial constraints.
Favour Sunday Udoh, studying Physics Education at the University of Uyo, also traced her academic progress to the intervention, from free registration to sustained academic support.
One of the most compelling accounts came from David Nsimkpong, an Architecture student, who said he lost hope of attending university after losing his father while still in secondary school. He noted that a chance discovery of the free JAMB registration scheme changed his trajectory, eventually leading to admission and scholarship support.
Observers say the combination of infrastructure investment and direct educational support is creating a structured pipeline for academic advancement in the local government area.
From the solar-powered CBT centre to scholarships and preparatory programmes, the initiatives in Nsit Ubium are increasingly being viewed as a coordinated effort to improve access, performance, and retention in higher education.
In practical terms, stakeholders argue, the approach has turned access into opportunity and opportunity into measurable outcomes for students across the local government area.
For many residents, the developments reflect a deliberate policy direction aimed at repositioning education as a central pillar of local governance and youth development.
