Hijrah Organisation of Nigeria, National Headquarters, has publicly reaffirmed its support for Professor Ishaq Oloyede, Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
In a statement today by its National Chairman, Professor Yusuf Olanrewaju Badmus, however, also recognized that some errors have been made during the last UTME along the way as admitted by the Registrar.
Professor Badmas stressed that the glitch should not distract the examination body from the overall positive impact of the reforms.
He acknowledged his bold reforms aimed at curbing examination malpractice and restoring credibility to Nigeria’s tertiary admissions process.
The Organization highlighted the challenges of managing a National Examination system that annually processes millions of candidates.
According to him, Professor Oloyede’s administration has introduced several tough measures just he did as the Vice Chancellor of the most sorted University, University of Ilorin, including biometric verification, strict adherence to exam schedules, and vigorous prosecution of malpractice offenders as actions have been praised for significantly reducing cheating and creating a level playing field for candidates nationwide.
The Hijrah Organization opined that some groups, including student organizations and advocacy bodies, have voiced strong objections and argued that the reforms have inadvertently led to exclusion and hardship for some candidates, particularly those from marginalized communities who face difficulties meeting new requirements or accessing examination centers.
The Hijrah Organisation urged these opponents to temper their criticisms and avoid disruptive actions that could undermine the reforms.
Professor Badmas called on all stakeholders to channel their concerns through appropriate and peaceful dialogue platforms rather than resort to antagonism or misinformation.
The Organization also appealed to the Federal Government and education authorities to provide adequate resources and support to JAMB to ensure the smooth implementation of reforms and address any legitimate grievances promptly.
The Hijrah Organisation reaffirmed its belief that Oloyede’s reforms are necessary for the future of Nigeria’s education system.
Professor Badmas expressed hope that all parties would unite in fostering an admissions process that is fair, transparent, and accessible to all qualified candidates.
