A Rare Display of Humility: Professor Oloyede’s Public Unreserved Apology to Nigerians

ALABI Qozim Diekola (MCPN)

May 14th, 2025, Professor Oloyede, JAMB Registrar, did the unexpected, he publicly apologized for the technical glitches that marred the 2025 UTME.

This is a remorseful attitude of commitment and patriotism to Nigerian people.

Imagine, this happened during a national press conference, Professor Oloyede accepted responsibility for the failures of his organization (JAMB), setting a good precedence for other Nigerian leaders to follow, I was emotionally moved as I interestingly watched the video, crying at a point.

The technical glitches that occurred during the examination or during the release of the results as the case may be was nationally reported to have affected a large number of students, causing distress and disappointment for the affected students, their parents and education stakeholders.

Prof Oloyede demonstrated a good leadership attitude for his acceptance to fault, instead of passing the blame on his staff or making excuses, after a thorough network audit of the IT infrastructure, Professor Oloyede took the bold step, acknowledging and accepting the mistakes, taking full responsibility, expressing regret for the whole scenario, and consequently tendered his unreserved apology to Nigerians publicly, while working towards a way to make corrections in a fair and timely manner.

This act is seen as a display of true patriotism to the nation with highest courage, this acceptance of failure shows his humbleness and a testimony to his good heart of leadership with good character.

After accepting responsibility, JAMB should now focus on fixing the issues and preventing similar occurrence in the future.

To rebuild trust and show commitment to a fair and reliable examination process, JAMB’s leadership should work hard to investigate the root cause of the technical glitches, implement measures to prevent similar future occurrence and review some of its policies that has been causing hardship for Nigerian students and their parents. JAMB should learn to listen to the plight of the Nigerian masses they claim to serve.

Honestly, Professor Oloyede’s public apology is a rare display of humility in Nigeria’s public service. Nigerians should commend him for this, forget this misdeeds and encourage JAMB to build on this by working towards a more efficient, reliable and student-friendly examination process.

By acknowledging, accepting and learning from our mistakes, we can strive for excellence and serve Nigerian people more efficiently better.

Let’s move on. “To err is human, to forgive is divine.”

Professor Oloyede has shown us that in the midst of challenges, taking responsibility, accountability with humility is the key to quick forgiveness of sin.

ALABI Qozim Diekola (MCPN)
15th May, 2025.