South East Reps demand resignation of JAMB Registrar Oloyede over 2025 UTME failure
The South East Caucus in the House of Representatives has officially called for the resignation of Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, the Registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), following the widespread failure in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). This demand was made in a statement released by the Caucus Leader, Rep. Igariwey Iduma Enwo, on Monday.
The lawmakers have expressed deep concerns for the five South Eastern states they represent, which have been significantly affected by what they referred to as JAMB’s “score distortions.” They acknowledged Prof. Oloyede’s admission of JAMB’s shortcomings but emphasized that the responses provided thus far have not met the needs of the affected students.
The Caucus criticized JAMB’s response as reactive and insufficient, stating that traumatized students in the region, many of whom are still taking WAEC examinations, were given less than 48 hours’ notice to retake the rescheduled UTME. This short notice reportedly led to low turnout and conflicts with ongoing WAEC exams, causing further distress for students and their families.
In their statement, the lawmakers highlighted the essential role of education in national development, referencing Section 18(1) of the 1999 constitution, which emphasizes the government’s obligation to provide equal educational opportunities to all citizens. They asserted that the flawed outcomes of the 2025 UTME have deprived countless students in the South East of these rights.
The Caucus called for the complete cancellation of the 2025 UTME and proposed rescheduling the examination to July or August, after WAEC and NECO examinations, to ensure that no student is disadvantaged. They noted support for this suggestion from the Association of Tutorial School Operators.
In conclusion, the South East Caucus called for immediate accountability within JAMB, urging Professor Oloyede to resign to allow for a comprehensive investigation and remedy for the deficiencies that led to this national embarrassment. They reiterated that mere apologies will not suffice to address the damage caused.
The Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, also emphasized the need for a thorough investigation into the technical issues that resulted in the mass failures, particularly affecting candidates in Lagos and the South East regions.
Source: Daily Trust
