NOA Applauds JAMB’s Transparency on UTME Glitches, Urges Compensation. By Raymond Enoch
In a significant endorsement of institutional transparency, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has commended the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for its candid handling of errors that marred the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). The NOA praised the examination body’s leadership for openly acknowledging its lapses—a rare move in the Nigerian public sector.
Director General of the NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, hailed JAMB’s Registrar, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, for his integrity and forthrightness, stating that the move aligns with the principles of the National Values Charter (NVC). According to Onilu, the public admission of errors and subsequent steps taken to offer retakes for affected candidates reflect a commendable sense of responsibility.
“Recognizing mistakes is the first step; but redemption and restitution are necessary to truly restore public trust,” Onilu said during a media briefing. He added that JAMB’s decision to offer affected candidates another opportunity was laudable but encouraged the examination board to consider additional measures—including potential compensation—to ease the psychological toll on candidates and their families.
The NOA, whose mandate includes the promotion of ethical leadership and value-based governance, emphasized the broader implications of JAMB’s transparency. “This should serve as a model for other public institutions,” the DG noted. “When institutions own their mistakes and act to correct them, they earn the confidence of the people they serve.”
Referencing the Citizen Codes under the National Values Charter, Onilu reiterated that all Nigerians—regardless of position—have a duty to uphold the values of transparency, integrity, and accountability. These, he said, are the foundation of a just and functional society.
The NOA affirmed its continued commitment to fostering a culture of trust and responsible leadership. As part of its ongoing advocacy, the agency is intensifying efforts to mainstream the ideals of the National Values Charter across both public and private sectors, with the goal of building a more ethical and inclusive Nigeria.
