The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Ishaq Oloyede, has dismissed calls for engagement with individuals allegedly involved in examination malpractice who are currently outside the country, stating that matters of criminal conduct fall strictly within the jurisdiction of security agencies.
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Oloyede made the clarification on Wednesday while addressing journalists at the University of Ibadan during a training programme marking the final phase of JAMB’s decade-long automation of its examination processes.
His remarks followed recent criticisms surrounding the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) registration exercise, including comments attributed to the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who raised concerns about reported difficulties encountered by some prospective candidates.
Responding, Oloyede said that while he holds Obi in personal regard, public commentary on sensitive institutional issues should not undermine established procedures or weaken accountability mechanisms.
He said, “His Excellency is someone I consider a friend, and I would rather engage him privately. But politicians will always make political statements.”
The JAMB registrar disclosed that some individuals allegedly involved in large-scale registration infractions and other forms of examination malpractice had fled Nigeria and were now seeking dialogue as a means of avoiding prosecution.
Oloyede stressed that the board would not enter into any arrangement that could dilute the integrity of the examination system or undermine the futures of candidates affected by fraudulent practices.
“Some of those who left the country after committing these acts are now calling for negotiation. Negotiate what? What they are asking for is to avoid being tried for offences already committed. That is not my responsibility.
“I will refer such matters to the appropriate security agencies. JAMB will not negotiate with individuals who have compromised the prospects of innocent students,” he added.
Speaking on the automation of the system, which commenced about ten years ago, the JAMB Registrar announced the completion of the decade-long automation process, declaring that Nigeria’s central admission examination system has now fully entered the digital era.
According to him, the latest phase focuses on automating the question-authoring process for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, thereby eliminating the need for physical gatherings of examiners.
The registrar explained that, in the past, question developers were required to travel from different parts of the country to designated centres to draft and review examination items. With the new system, authors can now develop and submit questions remotely from their respective universities, polytechnics, and secondary schools through a secure digital platform.
He said, “We started this journey about nine or 10 years ago. What we are witnessing today is the last lap, the tenth phase. This phase automates the authoring of questions.
“It makes things easier, cheaper, and less tedious for us. There will be no need to pay travel allowances or transportation costs for question-setting exercises. At the same time, we are strengthening checks and balances to ensure maximum security.”
He added that internal reviews and pilot testing of the system had yielded a 100 per cent success rate, expressing confidence in its reliability and security architecture.
Oloyede noted that the reform would enhance operational efficiency and reinforce the integrity of the UTME, which serves as the gateway to tertiary education in Nigeria.
With the completion of the automation process, Oloyede said JAMB had effectively transitioned from manual and semi-digital procedures to a fully integrated digital framework, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s educational reform efforts.
Also speaking at the event, the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Prof. Adenike Oladiji, said the automation would strengthen quality assurance in the admission process.
“For us as universities, we receive the products of JAMB. The candidates who sit for UTME eventually become our students. So we are interested in how the process starts, from setting questions to ensuring quality control,” she said.
Oladiji noted that increased confidence in JAMB’s processes had reduced the reliance of many universities on post-UTME examinations.
Also speaking, the Vice-Chancellor of the African School of Economics, Prof. Mahfuz Adedimeji, described the training as a major step in fully digitising JAMB’s operations.
“This is to familiarise test developers with the digital platform for authoring UTME questions. Instead of gathering physically in one location, they can now work remotely from their institutions through a secure application developed for that purpose,” he said.
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