The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has urged Nigerians to remain hopeful, patient and upright in the new year, assuring that difficult times can still produce meaningful breakthroughs.
In a New Year message issued on Thursday, JAMB’s Public Communication Adviser, Dr Fabian Benjamin, acknowledged that recent years have tested the strength and endurance of many Nigerians but stressed that hardship often creates room for renewal and growth.
He said 2026 would favour people who remain focused, responsible and principled, even when doing the right thing feels hard or unrewarding.
“This year calls for endurance, integrity and unity. It will reward those who stay focused, act responsibly and continue to do what is right, even when it is difficult or unpopular,” Benjamin said.
According to him, small acts of honesty, compassion and resilience would play an important role in shaping the country’s future, adding that the new year offers another chance to rebuild, rethink and rise with renewed purpose.
Benjamin encouraged Nigerians not to lose hope despite ongoing national challenges, expressing confidence that new opportunities would emerge from present struggles.
“I speak with confidence that hard work will be rewarded in unexpected ways, healing and stability will gradually replace uncertainty, and cooperation across differences will strengthen our nation,” he said.
He urged citizens to choose patience over despair, dialogue over division and commitment over indifference, noting that collective positive actions — no matter how small — can help build a better future.
“Hold on. Stay steady. Keep moving forward. Better days are possible, and they are built by people who refuse to quit,” he added.
Benjamin also called on Nigerians to remain steadfast in pursuing their dreams, supporting their families and contributing meaningfully to national development, stressing that nations grow through the perseverance of ordinary citizens who refuse to lose hope even when progress seems slow.
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