The management of the University of Ilorin and Lagos State University (LASU) have commended the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Ishaq Oloyede, for his transparency and display of leadership in addressing errors in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results.

In separate statements issued on Thursday, both universities commended Professor Oloyede for publicly admitting the technical and human errors that affected the results of 379,997 candidates across five states, including Lagos and parts of the South-East.

They described his action as a rare display of accountability, integrity and strength of character in Nigeria’s public sector.

In its statement, LASU, through its Deputy Registrar and Coordinator of the Centre for Information and Public Relations, Mrs. Oluwayemisi Thomas-Onashile, noted that Oloyede’s decision to subject the examination process to an internal technical review and to admit the shortcomings exemplifies outstanding leadership.

“Lagos State University stands solidly with Prof. Oloyede affirming not only his courage and humility in this testing time but also the depth of character cum integrity that has become the hallmarks on his glittering career as a public servant.

“Indeed, his decision to subject the process to an internal technical review and admit shortcomings reflects his exceptional character and demonstrates a kind of leadership that is scarce in the Nigerian public space.

The university added that Oloyede’s consistent demonstration of integrity, dating back to his tenure as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, speaks volumes about his commitment to excellence in public service.

According to the University, Oloyede has transformed JAMB through comprehensive reforms since his assumption of office in 2016.

According to it, the reforms have significantly improved examination credibility and transparency and increased public confidence in the examination body and attracted plaudits from far and near.

 “In fact, since taking office in 2016, Professor Oloyede has transformed JAMB through comprehensive reforms that have significantly improved examination credibility and transparency, and increased public confidence in the examination body attracting plaudits from far and near.

“Lagos State University has benefitted immensely in the enhanced processes of JAMB leading to the admission of better qualified candidates in our University.

“Furthermore, Prof. Oloyede’s track record, dating back to his tenure as Vice-Chancellor of University of Ilorin, consistently shows commitment to excellence and integrity.”

Similarly, the University of Ilorin, in a letter addressed to the JAMB Registrar and signed by its Vice Chancellor, Professor Wahab Egbewole, SAN, described Oloyede’s handling of the situation as an “uncommon phenomenon” in Nigeria.

The University maintained that the Board approached the issue with truthfulness without holding anything back from the public.

“We hereby write to appreciate you on how the developments on the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination was handled by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board under your leadership.

“As a University, we want to put on record the fact that the Board approached the issues that arose on the result with truthfulness and nothing was hidden from the public.

“This approach demonstrated courage, honesty of purpose, integrity, strength of character, and on the whole a call to the younger generation to emulate these positive values.

“The admission of the error committed by one of the service providers culminating in the result that affected more than 300,000 candidates could have been laid at the doorstep of the service provider but you took full responsibility. This is an uncommon phenomenon in Nigeria.”

Prof. Oloyede, Wednesday, in a widely covered press conference took full responsibility for the technical glitch and human errors that affected the results of 379,997 candidates who wrote the examination across five states in Lagos and the South East.

He immediately ordered a retake examination for all affected candidates to restore confidence in the process.