Former Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Registrar Ishaq Oloyede has described parents’ involvement in examination malpractice as the most heartbreaking experience of his decade long leadership at the examination body
Speaking during a live interview on Arise Television’s This day Live program, Oloyede lamented that many parents now play active roles in helping their children cheat during examinations, warning that such actions introduce young people to criminal behavior at an early age
His comments came just days after officially handing over leadership of JAMB to Professor Segun Aina, who succeeds him as the board’s sixth registrar
Oloyede Says Parents Are the Real Problem Behind Exam Malpractice
Reflecting on his years in office, Oloyede said the greatest disappointment of his tenure was witnessing parents deliberately organize examination malpractice for their children and wards
According to him, most UTME candidates are not naturally inclined towards cheating, but many are influenced by adults who should instead be guiding them towards honesty and hard work
He expressed concern that parents who facilitate examination fraud are unknowingly damaging their children’s future by introducing them to dishonest practices
“The most painful period of my experience in JAMB has to do with the level of involvement of parents in the organization of examination malpractice,” Oloyede said
‘Parents Are Introducing Children to Crime’
The former registrar argued that examination malpractice goes beyond breaking examination rules, describing it as an introduction to criminal behavior
He questioned why parents would knowingly compromise the future of their children simply to secure academic success through dishonest means
Oloyede noted that every encounter with such cases left him emotionally affected throughout his time at JAMB
He added that even when people have personal shortcomings, they should avoid transferring those weaknesses to the next generation
Oloyede Reflects on His 10 Years at JAMB
Oloyede was first appointed Registrar of JAMB on August 9, 2016, by former President Muhammadu Buhari before securing a second five year term in 2021
After serving for ten years, he officially handed over the leadership of the examination body to Professor Segun Aina on Friday
Despite describing his administration as largely successful, Oloyede maintained that the issue of parents promoting examination malpractice remained the lowest point of his tenure
Confidence in New JAMB Registrar Segun Aina
Oloyede expressed confidence in his successor, Professor Segun Aina, stating that the new registrar possesses the expertise needed to modernize JAMB even further
He said Aina’s background as a professor of computer engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) would help the board deploy more advanced technology in conducting the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME)
According to Oloyede, stronger technological innovations could further strengthen the credibility and efficiency of JAMB examinations in the coming years
Why Oloyede’s Comments Matter
Education stakeholders have repeatedly raised concerns over the growing sophistication of examination malpractice in Nigeria
Experts believe the active participation of parents, school operators and examination syndicates undermines the integrity of the country’s education system and reduces public confidence in academic qualifications
Oloyede’s remarks have renewed calls for greater parental responsibility, stricter enforcement of examination regulations and increased public awareness on the long term consequences of academic dishonesty
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