The Human Rights Watch Foundation (Nigeria) has strongly criticized the calls by the South-East Caucus of the House of Representatives for the resignation of Professor Ishaq Oloyede, the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), following technical issues that disrupted the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). The organization, in a statement issued by its Vice President, Tijjani Sarki, characterized the demand as premature, unfair, and fueled by selective outrage and political grandstanding. While acknowledging the unfortunate technical problems and their impact on Nigerian students, particularly those in the South-East, the Foundation argues that demanding Oloyede’s resignation is a misplaced reaction and an overreach. They advocate for a thorough investigation and accountability but emphasize that removing Oloyede is not the appropriate solution.
The Foundation’s core argument centers on the perceived double standard applied to JAMB and its Registrar compared to other institutions facing significant challenges. They question the absence of similar calls for resignation from leaders of institutions embroiled in arguably more severe controversies. The statement specifically highlights the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its handling of elections, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and its policies, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and fuel price hikes, the persistent national power grid collapses, and even allegations of budget padding within the National Assembly. They argue that none of these issues have elicited similar demands for the resignation of those in charge, including the CBN Governor, INEC Chairman, NNPCL GMD, Minister of Power, or the National Assembly leadership.
The Foundation juxtaposes this perceived inaction with the targeted demand for Oloyede’s resignation, highlighting the Registrar’s internationally recognized efforts in transforming JAMB from an institution plagued by inefficiency to one characterized by reform and transparency. They commend Oloyede for taking responsibility for the technical glitches and authorizing free retakes for the affected candidates, approximately 400,000 students. This acceptance of responsibility and proactive remedial action, the Foundation argues, demonstrates leadership and a commitment to addressing the issue, rather than an indication of failure warranting resignation.
Further bolstering their defense of Oloyede, the Human Rights Watch Foundation emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between holding individuals accountable for their actions and resorting to scapegoating. While they support the suspension and investigation of any JAMB official found culpable in the technical disruptions, they caution against using Oloyede as a scapegoat. They warn against setting a precedent where genuine reformers are punished for isolated technical issues while larger, systemic failures in other sectors are overlooked. The organization stresses the need for consistent standards of accountability across all public institutions and officials.
The statement concludes with a call for courageous leadership that applies the same standards of accountability to all public officials, regardless of their position or reform efforts. They advocate for a system where holding individuals accountable is based on sound judgment and thorough investigations, rather than politically motivated actions or selective outrage. The foundation emphasizes that Nigeria’s progress depends on protecting and supporting those who are actively working to reform its institutions, not punishing them for unavoidable technical setbacks.
In essence, the Human Rights Watch Foundation’s statement serves as a strong defense of Professor Ishaq Oloyede, framing the calls for his resignation as an unfair and disproportionate response to a technical glitch, especially considering his track record of reform and transparency at JAMB. They highlight a perceived double standard in holding public officials accountable, pointing to the absence of similar calls for resignation in other institutions facing more significant challenges. They warn against the dangers of scapegoating reformers and urge for a more consistent application of accountability across all sectors of Nigerian public life. The statement effectively positions the demand for Oloyede’s resignation as a politically motivated attack on a reformer rather than a genuine concern for the affected students, emphasizing that Oloyede’s actions demonstrate responsibility and a commitment to rectify the situation.
