Peter Obi Commends JAMB’s Accountability, Warns of Institutional Fragility Over UTME Glitches

Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, has lauded the courage of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, for openly admitting to technical errors that marred the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

Speaking to journalists in Awka on Thursday, Obi acknowledged the rare act of accountability demonstrated by Oloyede, who broke down in tears while publicly apologizing for the errors that affected 379,997 candidates nationwide.

“Oloyede’s open admission of fault and the expression of deep remorse stand out as a commendable display of accountability in our public institutions,” Obi stated. “But the deeper concern is the fragility this incident exposes in our institutional systems.”

JAMB has come under intense scrutiny after widespread complaints emerged regarding discrepancies in candidates’ results, particularly in Lagos and the Southeast. The board later admitted the glitch and announced rescheduling for affected candidates.

Obi emphasized that the emotional and psychological toll on students and families cannot be understated. Reports of severe trauma and in some tragic cases, loss of life underscore the need for urgent reforms.

“Let’s not allow glitches to become a national crisis,” he said. “The failures of such magnitude are not mere technical mishaps; they shake the very foundations of trust in our institutions.”

While acknowledging JAMB's quick response, Obi urged all government agencies to institute comprehensive quality assurance frameworks, including rigorous testing of technical systems, continuous audits, transparent stakeholder communication, and swift resolution of issues.

Public reactions to the UTME scandal have varied. Some, like human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, have called for Oloyede’s resignation, labeling the apology a “crocodile tear.” Others, however, see it as a rare instance of accountability in Nigeria’s governance space.

Still, Obi warned that the implications extend beyond JAMB, hinting at systemic vulnerabilities that must be addressed across the board.

“There must be no room for further glitches not in JAMB, not in any arm of government. The cost of repeated failure is simply too high,” he added.

According to JAMB data, over 206,000 candidates in Lagos and 173,000 in the Southeast were directly impacted by the examination error. The board has promised a re-examination and an overhaul of its technical processes.

As Nigeria continues to grapple with the need for institutional reform, Obi’s message serves as both a call for empathy and a warning against complacency in critical public services.