Thirty-seven names traced back to influential families have surfaced on the new ENAM admission lists, a figure that has once again ignited the national debate on fairness in administrative competitive exams. Published just hours ago, these results have caused a genuine tremor across social media, where numerous Cameroonians are loudly protesting “programmed social reproduction.” “This isn’t right… are we not also children of the Republic?” lamented one deeply disheartened parent.
But setting aside the emotion, what do the facts truly indicate? And does this public outcry have a solid basis, or is it a selective interpretation of a far more complex reality?
Names That Fuel the Fire
The newly admitted class includes numerous children of public figures: ministers, general managers, high-level civil servants, magistrates, sub-prefects, and even members of major traditional chiefdoms. Among the most frequently cited examples are:
- Daughter of Minister Nalova Lyonga
- Daughter of Deputy SGPR Mohamadou Moustapha
- Daughter of Colonel Beko’o Abondo (Presidential Guard)
- Daughter of Sultan Mbombo Njoya (Bamoun royal lineage)
- Daughter of the Secretary of State for the Gendarmerie, Galax Etoga
- Son of the Director General (DG) of the Budget, Cyril Edou Aloo
- Son of the DG of the CSPH, Okie Johnson Ndoh
- Daughter of the DG of the Autonomous Port of Douala
- Son of the Minister of Civil Service, Joseph Le
- Daughter of the DG of the Treasury, Sylvester Moh
The list is extensive. For many observers, this follows a well-worn script: the political elite effectively grooms the state’s future cadres, ensuring an almost seamless continuity in key strategic roles.
Bias vs. Social Reality
Some analysts are quick to point out that children of high-ranking officials often benefit from undeniable advantages: superior educational environments and high-caliber preparation. As a former official from the School remarked:
“The children of ministers are not any less Cameroonian. And sometimes, they are indeed among the most qualified candidates.”
However, others underscore the profound lack of public confidence in the admission process itself. A university lecturer captured the popular sentiment circulating on WhatsApp groups: “The issue isn’t that their children succeed. The issue is that nobody believes the competitive exam is honest.”
In a country frequently marked by corruption allegations and fragile transparency, every new admission list inevitably triggers the ENAM Admission List Controversy, making it a fertile ground for suspicion. A legal expert notes that Cameroon has consistently ranked poorly due to persistent favoritism within its administration for several years.
A Crisis of Trust and Meritocracy
The ongoing ENAM Admission List Controversy swells because it strikes at the heart of a sensitive issue: the principle of meritocracy, which is viewed as the only path to social mobility for thousands of young people. Within the public consciousness, ENAM is seen as the golden ticket to rare professional stability. Witnessing dozens of names of the “well-born” successfully pass creates a profound sense of unfairness. “It feels like the military is for the children of the poor, and the civil service is for the children of the powerful,” one rejected applicant lamented.
Nonetheless, calls for calm emphasize that a reform of the competitive examination system is currently in progress, focused on strengthening transparency and oversight mechanisms.
The core question remains: Were the ministers’ children truly advantaged, or are their successes simply a stark reflection of a country where social background already determines 80% of life outcomes? One factor is certain: rebuilding public trust in state institutions demands absolute transparency. Until Cameroonians are assured that the competitive examinations are beyond reproach, every new wave of admissions to ENAM will continue to fuel interrogations… and social tension.
👉 In your view, is this controversy overstated or completely legitimate?