BREAKING: Zoe CBT Centre, JAARC, Ogbomoso, seeks partnership, may sell centre

BREAKING: Zoe CBT Centre, JAARC, Ogbomoso, IPseeks partnership, may sell centre

Adebayo ADELEKE

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To sustain the vision of continuously operating the Jacob Adebayo Afolayanka Resource Centre (JAARC), Ogbomoso, Oyo state, the owners have called on investors to partner the centre.

This was made known Monday at a press conference addressed by Rev (Dr) Niyi Adebayo, the founder, at the centre, Abaa. With him at the press conference were Engr. Stephen Akinpelu (ICT Director, Zoe/JAARC), Okediran Emmanuel Titilope (ICT team), Ajisegiri Oluwasegun (Head of school) and Akinpelu Taiwo (Adeministrator Zoe Schools)

According to Rev Adebayo, the CBT centre, adjudged one of the largest in the country, and which was commissioned last September amid fanfare, had run into troubled waters in the financial aspect though not due to patronage issue.

Explaining the rationale behind seeking partnership or putting it up for outright sale or in part, he said it was because of breach in agreement with the founding partners whom he did not however wish to enter litigation against, and so had to take emergency loans to keep afloat. The repayment of the loan has now become difficult, he added.

“We are putting up this centre, Jacob Afolayanka Resource Centre for sale in whole or in part,” Rev Adebayo stated.

He further disclosed, “Interested individuals, families, agencies of the government, NGOs, religious bodies, political class and organizations from any part of the world can express their interests through our accredited agent company.”

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Shedding more light, he noted he had the dream of the centre years ago and became convinced after some JAMB candidates from Ogbomoso lost their lives in a road carnage two years ago while traveling to sit for the exam in a neighbouring town. He informed he initially set out to build a 250-capacity CBT Centre but that some partners (his friends) got wind of it and decided to come up with funds and so it was decided that the capacity be increased to 550, that is aside the 150 CBT centre his private secondary school Zoe Schools previously operated. He added that after the construction had started fully one of the partners pulled out refusing to cough out money, while the other person released the fund (for an agreed period) of years, but surprisingly that one too reneged after four months to demand for refund of the money. He had to take loans at high interest rates to offset the money and so repaying the loans had become problematic, and that is what led to the decision.

Going down memory lane he revealed he started the Zoe Schools with 13 pupils in 2004 few years after receiving the call into the ministry, disclosing the school, with about 3, 000 students and pupils presently, now operates from seven centres across Ogbomosoland. The school, he further disclosed had won many academic laurels from several reputable organizations like NNPC, UNICEF, Grade Plus Africa, Nano Technology Group etc.

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The centre, fully accredited by JAMB, WAEC, NECO, TRCN, Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, NITDA and other exam bodies, has become a busy centre with robust patronage but the challenge of meeting the financial obligations as it relates to lenders and taking it cool has made the decision inevitable.

“Building a centre is not enough, sustaining the business is key. Our investment in Ogbomosoland in the last 22 years is worth almost N2 Billion and currently feeds over 238 families who are on our staff enrolment. We have proven that rural communities can sustain world-class facilities if given support,” he affirmed.

Why Selling! – In Rev Adebayo’s word

“About two years ago, the Ogbomoso community mourned some of her students who lost their lives while they were traveling to other towns to sit UTME (JAMB). That ugly news further fueled my passion to have a private ICT/CBT Centre that could complement the centre in LAUTECH. As at then, our own ICT Centre could only take 120 students.

“In 2024, I made the first attempt to build a 250-capacity CBT Centre, which was the minimum JAMB was willing to accredit. In the course, two of my friends reached out to me that they were considering investing in a similar project, but they felt doing it with me would be of a better economic benefit since our students would be engaging the facility for digital literacy training and internal exams whenever JAMB and WAEC were not in session.

“That was the point I conceded to the idea of expanding the centre to a 550-capacity as we have it today. We also agreed to build a 150-capacity modern students’ hostel beside the centre to serve both our boarding house students and other people from other towns who are posted to the centre for tests and training.

“The foundation of this facility was laid on January 23, 2025 and it was fully completed, equipped and commissioned on September 10 the same year in order to meet up with JAMB accreditation for that year. Midway, the foundation of the hostel was laid, too.

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“One of my friends couldn’t meet up with his part of the agreement to co-fund the project. He didn’t disclose this until the project got halfway. He signed up to make the fund available for June 30, 2025. The other friend turned in her own part of the funding but had to call out the fund less than 4 months after, apparently to go into politics. Paying her back was not easy while we were still massively spending on the two projects: the ICT Centre and the hostel by the side.

“As an investor, I had the option of going to court, since we already signed up 5 years. I, however chose the option of reacting to the situation like a Pastor. I opted for different institutional and individual loans from here and there to pay her back and to push the project to completion. Most of those individual facilities ended up as shylock loans with some of them charging as much as 8%, 7.5% and the least being 6% per month!!! Regrettably, I accept that that emotional decision was the worst business decision and funding options I ever subscribed to in my 22 years of this business. All the income from the school and the ICT Centre have never been sufficient to service half of the monthly interests, let alone the principal.”

JAARC and Massive Patronages

“The decision to put up the ICT Centre for sale is NOT for lack of patronage. Since the centre was opened on September 10, 2025, it has not lacked patronage for one month! JAMB activities: registration, mock, exam, results uploading, change of institutions and all happen here almost every day, including weekends. WAEC Uang the centre twice in a year (WASCE Internal and Private: GCE), ditto with NECO, Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) holds her exams here twice in a year, Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria holds her exams 4 times in a year among others that have also been visiting. More than 2,000 wards from Zoe Schools run their training and exams here every term. The little break between these exams are scheduled for training of students and teachers from the community. This is why JAARC has been labeled as one of the busiest private ICT/CBT Centres in Nigeria.

“Outside the constant economic benefits, the centre also provides social community Impacts. It’s on record that we have, through this centre trained about 402 senior secondary school students in basic computer and digital literacy FOR FREE across selected schools in Orire, Ogo-Oluwa, Surulere, Ogbomoso North LG before the bandit attack halted the scheme.”

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INSIGHT INTO JACOB ADEBAYO AFOLAYANKA RESOURCE CENTRE (JAARC)

Rev Adebayo

The Jacob Adebayo Afolayanka Resource Centre (JAARC) is a state-of-the-art Computer-Based Testing (CBT) and digital learning facility located at Abaa, behind Zoe Schools, Ilorin Road, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria. The Centre’s foundation was laid on 23 January 2025 and it was officially commissioned for operations on 10 September 2025. With a 550-candidate seating capacity, JAARC is one of the largest privately owned computer centres in Nigeria, providing world-class infrastructure for computer-based examinations, digital literacy programmes, professional certification testing, and technology-driven learning. Since commencing operations, the Centre has trained over 1,000 students in digital literacy and equipped more than 150 teachers with essential digital skills, reinforcing its commitment to advancing digital inclusion and technology education across Nigeria.

ACCREDITATIONS

JAARC is proudly accredited and authorized by:

Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB)

West African Examinations Council (WAEC)

National Examinations Council (NECO)

Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN)

Certiport Authorized Testing Centre (CATC)

Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN)

These accreditations position the Centre to deliver both national examinations and internationally recognized certification programmes. In recognition of our sterling contributions to digital literacy, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) awarded us a Digital Learning Centre (DLC)

ICT INFRASTRUCTURE

The Centre is equipped with:

650 networked laptop computers (4GB-8GB RAM I Windows 10 | Core i5-Core (7)

High-speed Local Area Network (LAN) infrastructure

Two independent server rooms

Enterprise server racks protected by UPS systems

Partitionable examination hall capable of operating as two independent halls, each containing 272 laptops.

Centralized server and network management

POWER INFRASTRUCTURE

To ensure uninterrupted operations, JAARC operates a hybrid power system

comprising:

1 brand new 150kVA diesel engine generator

1100 kVA fairly used generator

64 kVA solar backup system

Dedicated power control room for centralized power management

INTERNET CONNECTIVITY

JAARC provides reliable broadband connectivity through:

Starlink Business Internet (typical download speeds of 100-220 Mbps and upload speeds of 15-25 Mbps)

Galaxy Backbone FibreNet dedicated fibre connection (currently being deployed) to provide increased bandwidth, Improved reliability, and greater scalability for large numbers of concurrent users.

SECURITY & SURVEILLANCE

Security is integrated into every aspect of the facility through:

16 CCTV cameras in each examination hall

Outdoor CCTV surveillance covering the entire premises

Central CCTV monitoring and control from the server rooms

Dedicated security house

24/7 Perimeter lights

Controlled access through four vehicular gates and one pedestrian gate

FACILITY FEATURES

The Centre provides a comfortable and professional environment through:

Fully air-conditioned halls and offices

Perimeter ventilation system

Reception area

Administrative office

CEO’s office

Two auxiliary office spaces located at the entrance to the examination halls

200-capacity participant holding room

Two large storage rooms

Generator house

Security house

Convenience mini mart

Indoor and outdoor toilet facilities

Adequate water supply

Fully interlocked premises

PURPOSE

Designed to international standards, JAARC serves as a premier venue for computer-based examinations, digital literacy programmes, professional certification testing, ICT training, workshops, conferences, and large-scale technology-driven learning initiatives. Its robust ICT infrastructure, resilient power systems, high-speed connectivity, and secure environment make it an ideal hub for educational institutions, government agencies, corporate organizations, and development partners.

Niyi Adebayo

Director/CEO

+2348033905082

niyibayo2013@gmail.com

Get in touch

+234 911 590 0725

jaarcbyzoeschools@gmail.com

JAARC, Opp. Alata Flour Mills, Old Ilorin Rd, Surulere LG, Abaa, Ogbomoso, Oyo State

www.jaarc.org