As calls grow for the resignation of Professor Ishaq Olanrewaju Oloyede, Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), following errors affecting over 379,997 students in the 2025 UTME results, the nation must pause—and reflect.
Yes, there has been a serious technical error. But if Nigeria loses Oloyede, it may lose one of its most transformative public sector leaders—a man who dragged JAMB out of the mud and into the modern age.
Oloyede’s Legacy: From Scandal-Ridden to Digitally Secure
Before Oloyede’s appointment in 2016, JAMB was plagued with:
Rampant result manipulation,
Leakages of examination papers,
Manual registration errors,
Fraudulent admissions,
Internal corruption scandals.
Within a year, Oloyede introduced sweeping reforms:
Full digitalization of registration and CBT exams,
Introduction of CCTV in examination halls,
Biometric verification of candidates,
Direct entry portal automation,
Revenue remittance of over ₦50 billion to the FG in 7 years—compared to less than ₦200 million total by all past Registrars combined.
“We must create systems that remove the possibility of corruption, not just punish corruption,” Prof. Oloyede once said. And he walked the talk.
Who Is Professor Ishaq Oloyede?
Former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin (2007–2012).
Founding Secretary-General of the Association of West African Universities (AWAU).
Member of Nigeria’s Presidential Advisory Committee on Corruption.
A professor of Islamic Jurisprudence with global recognition for academic administration.
Under his leadership, UNILORIN became the most stable university in Nigeria, with zero ASUU strikes during his tenure.
The 2025 Glitch: Sabotage, Not Incompetence
According to internal sources, about 379,997 candidates saw inconsistencies in their results due to a backend error. But digital experts warn: errors of such scale often result from internal interference.
“When digital systems designed to prevent fraud suddenly fail, it is often because someone tried to bypass it,” said Dr. Oladeji Ajayi, an ICT consultant.
Speculation is growing that this glitch was engineered by internal sabotage, likely from a syndicate of corrupt insiders who had been crippled by Oloyede’s reforms. With JAMB’s automated systems, it is nearly impossible to manipulate results unless an insider attempts to compromise it—causing a digital conflict or breakdown.
What the Government Must Do
Rather than asking Prof. Oloyede to resign as few stakeholders have suggested, the government must:
1. Initiate a full-scale forensic audit of JAMB’s IT systems.
2. Involve the DSS and Ministry of Digital Technology to trace potential sabotage.
3. Deploy advanced cybersecurity firewalls to protect future examinations.
4. Publicly exonerate and support the Registrar pending investigation outcomes.
“You don’t change generals during a battle. You support them and fix the breach,” said Dr. Imran Khazaly of the National Patriots.
Education, Examinations, and the Nation
Exams are not mere academic rituals—they determine futures. And institutions like JAMB sit at the foundation of national development.
In Singapore, strict biometric and AI protocols have made examination fraud nearly impossible.
In India, reforms under the National Testing Agency (NTA) saw corruption fall by over 60% in 5 years—but only after embracing, not blaming reformers.
In Ghana, exam board lapses led to internal investigations—not instant dismissals.
Nigeria must follow suit. Oloyede’s innovation matches international standards, and firing him now would be a win for those who want JAMB to return to the days of “pay-to-pass.”
Conclusion: Protect the Reformer, Punish the Saboteur
The error in the 2025 UTME results is unfortunate, but let us not forget: before Oloyede, such errors were the norm, not the exception. What he introduced was not just technology—it was integrity through transparency.
He must not be forced out in a moment of crisis—he must be empowered to finish the war against corruption in JAMB.
Let the investigation begin. But until then, let Nigeria hold onto the best Registrar JAMB has ever had and oversee the resit in the affected States which have been rescheduled. We learn and grow from experience and the Registrar will be proactive to prevent such incidents if it was sabotage or an error of the hardware or software.
Princess G. Fraser. MFR
The National Patriots.
Recommended Digital Security Overhaul for JAMB: Securing Nigeria’s Educational Gateway
In light of the 2025 JAMB result error affecting over 387,000 candidates, it is imperative to implement a robust digital security overhaul that aligns with global cybersecurity best practices. Below are structured recommendations:
1. Independent Digital Forensic Audit
Commission a third-party cybersecurity firm (ISO 27001 certified) to conduct a comprehensive forensic audit of JAMB’s software, backend, cloud infrastructure, and data logs.
Focus: trace unauthorized system entries, logs manipulation, or attempted breaches.
Involve: DSS Cybercrime Unit, Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, and NITDA.
2. Deploy Multi-Layered Cybersecurity Architecture
Zero Trust Framework: All system interactions (even internal ones) must require multi-level verification.
End-to-End Encryption: Protect sensitive exam data during transit and storage.
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Enforce 2FA for all admin logins, including biometric staff access for high-privilege accounts.
3. Blockchain-Based Result Integrity System
Implement a blockchain ledger for result processing and publishing.
Ensures: tamper-proof, traceable digital record of scores, accessible to candidates, schools, and regulators.
Benefits: Prevents backend result alterations without consensus validation.
4. Real-Time Intrusion Detection & AI Monitoring
Install AI-driven Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) to flag and isolate anomalies in real time.
AI can detect unusual login patterns, backend injections, or command overrides, reducing human monitoring errors.
5. Staff Cybersecurity Vetting and Training
Conduct background checks and digital ethics certification for all JAMB technical and IT staff.
Schedule quarterly cyber hygiene training sessions to reduce risk of insider compromise or social engineering attacks.
6. Cloud Backup & Disaster Recovery
Store encrypted system backups in geographically separate, secure cloud zones.
Set up a failover protocol: if the primary system crashes or is compromised, a secure replica activates immediately.
7. Public Transparency Dashboard
Develop a transparent public-facing monitoring dashboard (like India’s NTA) showing:
Real-time exam registration numbers,
Result processing timelines,
Complaint resolution status,
Any detected anomalies (non-sensitive).
Conclusion: Securing National Confidence Through Digital Resilience
JAMB is not just an examination board—it is the gateway to over 1.9 million Nigerian futures annually. System integrity must match the scale of this responsibility. With the above measures, JAMB can not only defend against future sabotage but become a continental benchmark for digital exam security.
Dr. G. Fraser. MFR
The National Patriots.
” Why Oloyede Must Stay: Defending JAMB’s Best-Ever Registrar” Definitely, Oloyede Must remain in office, no question about that unless we want to lose the antigraft war in the most important agency to examine our future leaders’ foundation. It goes without saying that this incident is a sabotage by unpatriotic elements and I commend the National Patriots for this perspective. One needs to think outside the box to appreciate the dynamics behind this National disgrace. It’s time to burst the syndicate. There was definitely some interference which caused the error. It’s not rocket science. So, let’s be technical & professional about assessing this incident. It doesn’t require any resignation. Has anybody been found guilty? Is resignation the first reaction to a man who has performed exceedingly well? A Patriot?
Those calling for resignation should be ignored as they are obviously promoters & beneficiaries of the corruption in JAMB. I heard National Patriots is honoring Oloyede with an award as the best performing Registrar of JAMB in Nigerian history.
A well deserved award. – Prof. Adeyemi.
” Don’t Punish Progress: Oloyede’s Reform Legacy Must Be Protected” I agree. The man needs protection from the JAMB syndicate. I remember the case of the Ibo girl a few years back- mesoma I think? That opened my eyes to the lapses in our educational exams system. Oloyede appears to be making meaningful progress which must be recognised and appreciated. It appears he is not wise enough to know the desperation of the syndicate. Now he knows better so he will adopt some of the suggestions in this report. Well done Fraser. An interesting write- up. Besides exam malpractice, Oloyede has blocked all conduit pipes through digitalization for payment. No more cash payment. Those feeding from JAMB need to live on their salaries and manage their resources. Corruption is steadily reducing so corruption will fight back but the computer will show error instead of allowing them to put false figures inside. This incident shows the success of the fail proof system installed under Oloyede’s supervision. It is a victory, not a failure. I see it in a different way. – Chucks, Secondary School Teacher.
” In the Midst of Glitch, Integrity Must Not Resign” True. Nigeria needs a person like Oloyede in JAMB. This incident was meant to ruin his reputation that he is incompetent, but it’s the opposite. This is sabotage and it is clear. Thank you National Patriots and HeadlineNews.News for this perspective and suggestions. I hope government adopts them. This report should silence those calling for Oloyede’s resignation. They are the agents of the saboteurs and should be interrogated. An attempted fraud resulted in errors for results and they are asking the Reformer preventing fraud to resign? Is this a joke? Nigeria has moved away from business as usual. Oloyede is a man of integrity and Reformer and is needed to clean up JAMB. Too many people are holding qualifications they didn’t merit and this will dilute our performance index and productivity as a country. It’s an unpatriotic act of sabotage to engage in examination malpractices. I am glad we now have the goodwill to correct this. My children studied hard and passed their exams properly. I am ashamed of parents who pay agents to falsify results for their children. A very bad foundation for those children. That’s why the political class is not as vibrant as in other countries. We have undereducated people who bribed for exams results. People sat their exams for them. It’s time to correct it now. Can they correct it as beneficiaries of this warped system? We will wait and watch. – Civil Servant.
” Professor Oloyede: The Reformer JAMB Needs, Not the Scapegoat” According to this report, Oloyede has many achievements and I am impressed. I did not know this. Thank you for this report. It shows this incident was due to some oversight. Oloyede is not to blame as he has taken food from those agents & syndicate making a livelihood from exams malpractice. It’s a big business, bigger than anyone can imagine. It brings in billions yearly and many families depend on it. If they know how wealthy JAMB officials are, people will be shocked. EFCC should investigate them. I know how much people pay for different illegal services. This is Nigeria. Oloyede wanted to reform JAMB? He must be prepared to fight the syndicate in every way. Digitalization is a way, but they will find a way round it.
The system is corrupt, the people are corrupt, which way forward? Prosecution of both the giver and taker with jail term with no option of fine. Any official found culpable should get a stiff jail term. Government needs to help Oloyede to succeed. It’s not an easy fight but it’s possible to succeed with support of government. – Dr. Amiida
“The 2025 JAMB Glitch: Reform Sabotaged or System Failure?” That is the question for which every Nigerian wants an answer now! The government should give us an answer through an investigation with people of integrity in the security agencies. This matter must be handled professionally for posterity. The resits should hold as scheduled and then all that needs to be done to complete the investigation should be done. I like your suggestions in this article. Excellent. I hope they will be followed. Once they set up a firewall protection, the system will be tamper- proof. The biometric systems recommended here is a good idea. Thanks to the National Patriots for this report. – retired intelligence officer.
” Unmasking the Syndicate: Why JAMB’s Crisis Needs Investigation, Not Resignation” I find this article most interesting. It has enlightened me on the undercurrents of this issue. I hope the government reads this and ensures an investigation into this matter. I am surprised I have not heard anything from Government since this National embarrassment took place. They must investigate and act immediately. Oloyede is innocent and does not fully understand the evil that corruption has become in Nigeria. How many people make billions out of the malpractice in Nigeria? People taking exams for students who would pass these exams due to the fraud but would be hopeless in any tertiary institution. We are deceiving ourselves in Nigeria. The examining board must be cleaned out by a person of integrity like Oloyede. This incident has confirmed he has stepped on some corrupt toes. Let Govt fish them out. – IT Expert.
“JAMB Under Attack: Reformers Targeted as Glitch Sparks Controversy”.
I am convinced we shall get to the bottom of this matter. In this modern age, with computers, we will know how this incident occurred and must expose the scapegoats to serve as a deterrent for others. Nigeria is set for reform and must not allow corrupt elements to deter us. Oloyede is seen as a threat by a certain group of people and they are the ones behind the call for his resignation. Government must not consider such sponsored calls. Oloyede will be vindicated as a man with such a profile is needed to give JAMB the integrity it needs as an examination board. – Prof. Olawale
“One Glitch Doesn’t Erase a Legacy: Oloyede and the Digital Revolution in JAMB” The Registrar is a man of vision with a focus. A man with a proven track record according to this article is being frustrated by the evil agents of corruption. Government must protect him and give him all technical and security assistance to unravel the mystery of this “error” which affected 379997 students results. I doubt it’s a system error but caused due to some internal interference probably to falsify results as usual. Govt must make public the results of this investigation and punish the culprits. – Legal Luminary.
“From Chaos to Clarity: Oloyede’s Journey to Clean JAMB Must Not End Now” It appears this incident is not a coincidence but a deliberate attempt by some diabolical forces within the JAMB office. They must be exposed. It can not be the fault of the Registrar who has done so much to reform JAMB. The culprits must be prosecuted and jailed for such a national embarrassment. It is unfortunate for a man of integrity like Oloyede to be a victim of such a corrupt organisation. Keep him in the position, no resignation. I like the perspective of Fraser of National Patriots. Keep up the good job. Headlinenews.news is a news portal I respect for objective reportage. Thank you. – Elder Statesman.
“Guarding the Gates: Why Nigeria Must Defend JAMB’s Digital Integrity” Nigerians don’t like upright people, so I am positive there must be some sabotage somewhere. I hope the investigations will be conducted my people of integrity so as to reveal the truth. A syndicate is set to frustrate Oloyede’s effort to reform JAMB and we must not allow them to succeed. – Retired Army General.
