Why JAMB Registrar Oloyede Must Resign Immediately

 

The recent outcome of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) has raised serious concerns about accountability within the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and its leadership under Registrar Is-haq Oloyede. The board’s failure to ensure a smooth examination process has not only led to widespread frustration among candidates but has also had tragic consequences, including reports of students taking their own lives due to the stress and disappointment stemming from examination failures.

A Catastrophic Examination Process

During a recent press conference, Oloyede acknowledged that the 2025 UTME could have been a landmark event for JAMB. However, he attributed the mass failure to “carelessness, negligence, and lack of concern” from the agents responsible for overseeing the examination. This admission reflects a failure in leadership and oversight that is unacceptable for an organization entrusted with the future of countless students.

The issues primarily stemmed from a failure to apply a critical software patch in 157 exam centres across Lagos and the Owerri zone. This oversight severely disrupted the upload of candidates’ responses during the first crucial days of the exam, a period when students are most anxious. Such negligence not only undermines the integrity of the examination process but also places undue stress on students who have invested time and resources into their preparation.

The Human Cost

In the wake of the examination’s disastrous results, reports have emerged of students who have tragically taken their own lives. These heartbreaking incidents highlight the severe emotional toll that the examination’s failures have had on young individuals. Many students, burdened with the pressure to succeed, found themselves unable to cope with the disappointment of failing an exam that was marred by administrative errors.

The responsibility lies squarely with the leadership of JAMB. Oloyede’s failure to ensure that systems were in place to prevent such catastrophic outcomes raises serious questions about his ability to lead the organization effectively. The loss of young lives is a direct consequence of administrative negligence, and it is a tragedy that should never have occurred.

A Call for Accountability

Oloyede’s attempts to mitigate the situation by engaging external experts and critics are commendable but insufficient. The time for dialogue and discussion has passed; decisive action is needed. His leadership has not only been called into question due to the operational failures but also because of the emotional and psychological ramifications for students across the nation.

To restore trust in JAMB and to honor the memory of those who have suffered as a result of this debacle, Oloyede must resign. A change in leadership is essential to ensure that such negligence does not happen again. The students of Nigeria deserve a board that prioritizes their well-being and academic success over administrative complacency.

The situation surrounding the 2025 UTME is a stark reminder of the critical importance of accountability in leadership roles. As JAMB navigates the aftermath of this examination disaster, it is imperative that the board takes responsibility for its failures. Oloyede’s resignation would not only be a step towards accountability but also a necessary measure to prevent further tragedies in the future. The lives of students hang in the balance, and decisive action is needed to protect their futures.