By Ayomide Otitoju
The Registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, has dismissed allegations that the technical glitch experienced during the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) was aimed at disadvantaging candidates from Nigeria’s Southeast region.
The statement comes in response to demands from the Southeast Caucus of the House of Representatives, which called for Prof. Oloyede’s resignation following the disruption that affected exam results of candidates from Southeast states as well as Lagos State students writing the exam in the Southwest.
In a strong condemnation, caucus leader Igariwey Enwo called for the immediate suspension of officials responsible for JAMB’s digital operations and exam logistics. He further urged that a new date be set for affected candidates to retake the examination.
“The registrar of JAMB is said to be a good man, but leadership carries consequences,” Enwo said. “We therefore call on Professor Ishaq Oloyede to resign his appointment to allow a thorough investigation and remediation of the root causes of this national shame. That is the expectation in any civilized democracy.”
However, at a meeting with JAMB management ahead of the release of the rescheduled UTME results on Wednesday, Prof. Oloyede denied any deliberate attempt to undermine Southeast candidates.
He emphasized that every candidate is a Nigerian and must be afforded equal opportunities in the examination process.
In a somber moment during the meeting, the registrar called for a minute of silence to mourn a candidate who reportedly died as a result of the examination.
