By Mike Odeh James
Abuja, Nigeria
A coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) under the aegis of Quality and Improved Education Development in Nigeria has suspended its planned protest against the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Ishaq Oloyede, following technical errors that marred the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
Initially, the group had planned to demonstrate widespread reports of mass failures allegedly caused by technical failures in Lagos and the five southeastern states during the 2025 UTME. However, the CSOs revealed that their earlier stance was based on public outcry and misinformation, which has now been clarified after thorough investigation.
In a press statement jointly signed by the Coordinator, Dr. Yusuf Bala Gerei, and Secretary, Dr. Pius Ishaku, the coalition said it now believes the errors were not intentional and noted that the JAMB leadership has taken full responsibility.
“It is our resolve that since Professor Oloyede has owned up to the glitches and rescheduled the examinations for May 16, the planned protest and legal actions against JAMB should be shelved,” the statement read.
During a press briefing in Abuja, Professor Oloyede, visibly emotional and overwhelmed, admitted that the technical failures were a result of systemic lapses. He apologized to the affected candidates and pledged to rectify the situation.
The CSOs appealed to affected candidates, parents, and the general public to accept the decision for a resit as a means to ensure fairness and justice. “We strongly caution against politicizing the issue. It is important that we focus on finding solutions rather than inflaming tensions,” the statement urged.
They also addressed the criticisms from prominent voices, including the Shadow Government led by political economist Professor Pat Utomi, who had earlier called for Oloyede’s dismissal and investigation.
“We understand the feelings of disappointment, particularly as expressed by Professor Pat Utomi’s group. But in the spirit of reconciliation and educational integrity, we urge calm and patience. The registrar has promised to make necessary amends,” the CSOs noted.
Calling for a broader reform of the examination system, the coalition urged JAMB and stakeholders to address persistent issues such as poor candidate preparation, unreliable infrastructure, and the need for more robust digital support systems.
“There is a need for systemic reforms to ensure fair and reliable assessment processes in the future,” the statement concluded.
The rescheduled UTME for affected candidates in Lagos and the Southeast is set to take place on May 16, 2025.
