Nigeria, May 20 -- In Nigeria, where the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination is the only route to tertiary education, the pressure on candidates is unparalleled. For many candidates, JAMB examination is a do-or-die affair, as not just passing but a very high score guarantees university admission to study the candidate's preferred course in the university of his or her choice.

University degree is seen as a sure route to escape poverty, earn respect, or fulfill parental expectations. When the stakes are that high, the system cannot afford to fail, and yet, JAMB failed enormously.

Many candidates are now forced to rewrite the examination, repeating an emotionally draining process often without the financial means or...