UTME 2025: Why Oloyede Cried – UMA
Some observers have criticised the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, for shedding “crocodile tears” during his press conference addressing the technical and human errors discovered in the handling of the 2025 UTME.
While many qualified computer and data analysts have confirmed the veracity of JAMB’s explanation for the error, and while fair-minded commentators have commended the Registrar for taking responsibility and offering an apology, we wish to respond to the claims in some quarters that Prof. Oloyede’s tears were insincere.
Prof. Oloyede is very well known to us at the University of Lagos Muslim Alumni (UMA). Although he is not a member of our alumni, he has delivered lectures and keynote addresses at many of our programmes, and we can vouch for his integrity.
Oloyede is not a pretentious person. His tears were not crocodile tears. He is a passionate stickler for excellence, and this costly error by JAMB would naturally bring him to tears.
Another reason for his tears is likely a deep sense of personal guilt over the impact of the error on innocent applicants. “Will God forgive me on Judgement Day?”—that thought is always uppermost in his mind in all that he does because he is a deeply conscientious individual. We know him very well.
We listened to Prof. Oloyede’s press conference in full. JAMB traced the “technical glitch” behind the error to specific exam centres in specific states, which enabled it to identify the exact number of affected candidates who will now be eligible to resit the exam.
On the face of it, this explanation is satisfactory. However, we believe further independent investigations—especially into the conduct of JAMB exams in previous years—are necessary to eliminate any lingering doubts about the integrity of the examination process.
E-signed:
Dr. Abdulmumin Alao
National President, University of Lagos Muslim Alumni (UMA)
