The pioneer Deputy National Chairman of the Association of Nigeria Universities Alumni (ANUA), Dr. Stephen Olawale Fasakin, has defended the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, on the recent system glitch that marred the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

Fasakin, in a statement copied to newsmen in Ilorin yesterday, urged that Oloyede, rather than being criticised, ought to be commended for having conducted globally rated examinations before now.

Fasakin, who also called for three years’ validity of JAMB results of this year’s UTME exercise, believes the move would calm the nerves of the students.

He, however, urged Nigerians to a calm engagement rather than public condemnation of the JAMB boss.

“The professor has conducted this same examination excellently over the years,” Fasakin said, regretting that: “It is quite unfortunate that the last exercise didn’t follow the smoothness of the previous ones.”

Fasakin, widely respected for his voice in educational reform, said the recent glitch was not deliberate and urged stakeholders to be fair in their judgment.

“A system glitch is not something we wish for. It should be established that Oloyede will not compromise his integrity over issues like this, especially when it can be corrected.

“He has tendered an apology, and we must acknowledge the rare courage it took for him to do that,” he stated.
Highlighting Oloyede’s contributions, he applauded the JAMB boss for birthing the Computer-Based Testing (CBT) in Nigeria’s public examinations and setting a roadmap that other exam bodies can adopt.

Fasakin concluded by extending his sympathies to affected candidates and expressed hope that corrective measures would yield favourable outcomes.