The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has described the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) open acknowledgement of its lapses as a rare and commendable act of leadership that reflects a deep sense of institutional responsibility.
The Agency emphasised that JAMB’s example should serve as a model for other public institutions, stressing that when institutions own their mistakes and act to correct them, they earn the respect and confidence of the people.
The NOA, while applauding JAMB for its transparency and accountability in addressing the challenges that followed the recently concluded 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), said that having decided to provide another opportunity for the candidates as a way of redeeming the errors, it is imperative that JAMB should consider appropriate compensation to mitigate the stress and anxiety the candidates may have suffered.
The Director General of NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, in a statement by Paul Odenyi, Deputy Director, Media and Communications, lauded the Registrar of JAMB, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, for demonstrating integrity and courage that public leadership demands.
Issa-Onilu noted that the act of forthrightness is not only a testament to Professor Oloyede’s personal values, but also aligns with the principles of the National Values Charter (NVC), which enjoins all public institutions to operate with the highest standards of transparency and accountability.
Issa-Onilu, however, emphasized the need for JAMB to go a step further by initiating remedial measures that directly address the concerns of candidates, parents, and other stakeholders affected by the errors.
In the words of Issa-Onilu; “While recognition of mistakes is the first step, redemption and restitution are other necessary steps to be taken.
Issa-Onilu stressed that the NOA remains unwavering in its commitment to promoting a governance culture anchored in trust, integrity, and mutual respect between citizens and institutions.
Reflecting on the Citizen Codes under the National Values Charter, Issa-Onilu reiterated that leadership is a collective responsibility.
According to him; “Every citizen, whether in public service or private life, has a duty to uphold the core values of integrity, accountability, and transparency. These values are not optional—they are the pillars of a just and equitable society.”
Issa-Onilu reaffirmed the resolve of the NOA to continue its advocacy for responsible leadership and value-driven citizenship.
The NOA DG assured that the Agency’s campaign to entrench the ideals of the National Values Charter across all levels of society will remain a central focus, as Nigeria strives toward a more ethical, inclusive, and responsible governance culture.
