JAMB CONTROVERSY: Ogun Muslim Council urges calm, unity an institutional support
*Commends FG’s TVET initiative, encourages stakeholder collaboration in education sector
By KEMI KASUMU
The Ogun State Muslim Council (OMC), under eadership of the Awujale of Ijebu land Oba Sikiru Adetola, has called for calm and meaningful collaboration among stakeholders following the technical challenges experienced in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
This was contained in a statement Tuesday by Asiwaju Kamal’deen Akintunde, Esq., Secretary-General, Ogun State Muslim Council (OMC) copied to The DEFENDER .
The OMC expressed strong support for the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of JAMB, Professor Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede, recognizing his record of credible reforms that have restored confidence in Nigeria’s tertiary admissions process.
It noted that the current public concern—sparked by the Board’s own admission of technical errors—should now give way to responsible actions aimed at correcting the issues, preventing recurrence, and ensuring a seamless re-examination for affected candidates.
“Stakeholders in the education sector must join hands to protect and build on the reforms that have brought integrity to the system,” the Council stated. “Now is the time to improve the technical processes, maintain transparency, shield, and safeguard the systems from sabotage.”
The OMC observed the range of reactions the incident generated, some of which took ethnic abd/or religious undertones. It encouraged Nigerians to avoid sentiments and instead focus on innovation, patriotism, and solution-oriented engagement in national interest.
The Council also praised institutions that have reviewed their admission cut-off marks in light of the year’s challenges, calling the move realistic and fair.
It urged others to follow suit while charging prospective students to show diligence and academic excellence once admitted.
On a broader note, the Ogun Muslim Council commended the Federal Government’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) initiative. It particularly welcomed the elimination of tuition fees in the 33 Federal Science and Technical Colleges (FSTCs), calling it a strategic intervention against youth unemployment and restiveness.
OMC also highlighted the joint initiative by the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) and Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), which offers six-month technical and vocational training with free tuition, lunch, and monthly stipends.
The Council urged Nigerian youth to embrace the opportunity to develop practical skills and achieve self-reliance.
