LASU Defends JAMB Registrar Oloyede, Urges Public to See Beyond 2025 UTME Hiccups

 

As criticism mounts over the mass failure recorded in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), the Lagos State University (LASU) has stepped forward with a public show of support for the embattled Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Ishaq Oloyede.

Controversy has been brewing since JAMB officially admitted that the recently concluded UTME was marred by technical glitches. The disclosure, which affected the results of nearly 380,000 candidates, led to widespread frustration among students and parents. Calls for Oloyede’s resignation have grown louder, with public figures such as Omoyele Sowore, a former presidential candidate, demanding he step aside for what he described as “a more competent hand.”

Amidst the backlash, LASU issued a statement declaring “unwavering support” for Prof. Oloyede. The statement, signed by the institution’s Deputy Registrar and Coordinator for the Centre for Information and Public Relations, Oluwayemisi Thomas-Onashile, commended Oloyede for his forthrightness in owning up to the technical mishap and initiating an internal review to address the shortcomings.

Rather than view the situation as a debacle, LASU urged Nigerians to see the issue as a chance to reevaluate and strengthen the country's examination systems. “This development should not be construed solely as a failure,” the statement read. “It presents an opportunity to make our educational assessment mechanisms more robust and future-proof.”

Thomas-Onashile emphasized the university's confidence in Oloyede’s character and competence, highlighting that his transparency during this crisis exemplifies leadership qualities rarely seen in the public sector. According to her, Oloyede's readiness to admit flaws, publicly apologize, and promise a solution is indicative of his moral fiber and commitment to public service.

The university went on to recall the Registrar’s transformative tenure at JAMB since he assumed office in 2016. Under Oloyede's leadership, the board introduced a series of reforms aimed at restoring credibility and eliminating fraudulent practices in the conduct of entrance examinations. These efforts, the university claimed, have improved the quality of admissions and reinforced public trust in the institution.

LASU noted that it had reaped direct benefits from these reforms, especially through the admission of better-qualified students, which has positively influenced the quality of academic engagement on its campuses. The statement added that Oloyede’s legacy of excellence traces back to his days as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, where he was widely regarded for administrative efficiency and academic integrity.

The emotional weight of the situation became evident when Oloyede, addressing the media, broke down in tears while apologizing to the affected candidates and their families. The gesture, while seen by critics like Sowore as "crocodile tears," has earned him empathy and respect from institutions like LASU, who interpret it as a reflection of his genuine distress and commitment to upholding educational standards.

“This is not a moment to tear down but to build,” the university concluded. “Prof. Oloyede’s approach to this crisis reaffirms our belief in his leadership and the vision he represents for Nigeria’s education sector.”

As public discourse continues, it remains to be seen whether Oloyede will bow to pressure or persist in his mission to refine Nigeria’s examination systems. For now, however, he can count LASU among his vocal allies.