By Barr Oludotun Sowemimo
In the wake of growing calls for the resignation of Professor Ishaq Olanrewaju Oloyede as the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), it is important to caution against hasty judgements, ethnic sentiments, and politically motivated criticisms that threaten to undermine the reputation of one of Nigeria’s most reform-oriented public servants.
1. Pending Investigation: Uphold Due Process
In civilised and developed climes, public institutions are protected by the principle of due process. Where genuine complaints or institutional failures arise, the proper procedure is to initiate a transparent and impartial investigation, not a public lynching. It is only fair and just that a Panel of Inquiry be set up to objectively investigate the root causes of any recent lapses or irregularities in JAMB operations. Such a panel should also recommend preventive mechanisms and not be used as a tool for targeted persecution.
2. Ethnic Bias and Unpatriotic Sentiments Must Be Rejected
Unfortunately, certain quarters have tried to ethnicize the leadership of JAMB and accuse Prof. Oloyede of harbouring anti-Igbo sentiments. These claims are not only baseless but deeply dangerous in a multi-ethnic federation like Nigeria. Under Prof. Oloyede, JAMB has operated a merit-based and digitised admissions system, devoid of ethnic or religious preferences. The fact that students from the Southeast consistently perform well in JAMB examinations is evidence that the system has not been tampered with to favour or disfavour any region.
Targeting Prof. Oloyede, a Yoruba Muslim scholar, on ethnic grounds is a dangerous precedent that contradicts the ideals of national unity and excellence. Leadership must be evaluated based on performance, transparency, and reforms, not ethnic profiling.
3. Record of Outstanding Reforms and Probity
Since assuming office in 2016, Prof. Oloyede has transformed JAMB from a corruption-plagued agency into one of Nigeria’s most respected public institutions. His reforms include:
Revenue Remittance: JAMB under his watch has remitted over ₦50 billion to the federal government in seven years—a sharp contrast to the paltry ₦50 million remitted in the 38 years before his tenure.
Cost Reduction: He reduced the cost of JAMB forms to make them more affordable for poor families across Nigeria.
Digital Innovation: Prof. Oloyede introduced Computer-Based Testing (CBT) centers and automated admission processes, reducing human interference and increasing fairness.
Integrity Checks: He introduced mechanisms to curtail examination malpractice, impersonation, and result forgery, working with the security agencies to prosecute offenders.
4. A Scholar and Technocrat of Global Repute
Prof. Oloyede is not a political appointee but a technocrat with a rich background in academia and administration. As a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, he ensured Unilorin maintained the most stable academic calendar in Nigeria, was ranked among the top universities in West Africa, and became known for transparency and staff discipline.
His leadership style reflects what is expected in developed nations: zero tolerance for corruption, technological modernisation, and accountability.
5. Global Standards and Developed Climes
In developed democracies, public administrators who show high levels of integrity are not pulled down by regional propaganda. Instead, such individuals are celebrated and protected while investigations run their course. Accusing Prof. Oloyede without evidence and demanding his resignation ahead of any official findings is not just unjust—it is un-Nigerian and anti-developmental.
Even in advanced nations, no system is infallible. The SAT, GRE, and other standardised exams in countries like the United States occasionally face glitches and criticism. However, heads of these institutions are not condemned without clear evidence of incompetence or wrongdoing.
6. Conclusion and Recommendations
We must avoid politicising education and attacking reformers. Instead:
1. Let a Panel of Inquiry be set up to objectively assess any allegations.
2. Let JAMB be strengthened with better funding, system upgrades, and cybersecurity tools.
3. Let national discourse rise above ethnic bigotry, especially when dealing with issues of national significance.
4. Let Nigerians, especially young people, be encouraged by the example of Prof. Oloyede, who has demonstrated that public office can still be a platform for service and not self-enrichment.
Prof. Ishaq Oloyede deserves support, not slander. He stands today as a symbol of what is possible in Nigeria when integrity, discipline, and vision lead the way. His continued service is a national asset that should not be discarded on the altar of sectional politics
Written by Barr Oludotun Sowemimo, a public affairs analyst based in Abuja
