By Emmanuel Kwada
Former presidential candidate and Labour Party leader, Peter Obi, has called on the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and other critical institutions to address systemic technical failures, warning that persistent glitches could escalate into a national crisis.
Obi’s statement comes in response to JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede’s recent press conference, where he admitted that technical issues affected the results of 379,997 candidates in the latest Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
In a heartfelt statement, Obi commended Prof. Oloyede’s transparency and accountability, describing it as a rare and admirable trait in Nigeria’s public sector. However, he expressed deep concern over the recurring issue of technical glitches in critical institutions like JAMB, which he said undermines public trust and inflicts severe emotional and psychological trauma on students and parents.
“In heartbreaking cases, some have suffered severe trauma, and even death,” Obi noted, emphasizing the high stakes involved.
Obi highlighted the fragility of Nigeria’s institutional systems, stressing that the integrity of examination processes and the reliability of public institutions are non-negotiable for national progress. He urged JAMB and similar bodies to implement robust quality assurance frameworks, including rigorous testing and regular audits of technical infrastructure.
There must be no room for further glitches—not in JAMB, not in any arm of government
Additionally, he called for transparent communication with stakeholders and swift resolution of issues to rebuild public confidence.
“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,” Obi declared.
Concluding his statement, Obi reiterated his vision for a reformed Nigeria, stating, “A new Nigeria is POssible.”
The JAMB Registrar has yet to respond to Obi’s remarks, but the issue has sparked widespread discussion on social media, with many Nigerians echoing the call for stronger systems to prevent future disruptions.
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