JAMB Demonstrates Greater Credibility Than Some Politicians, Clergy – Omokri

Former presidential aide Reno Omokri has commended the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for its transparent handling of the 2025 UTME technical glitch, describing the agency’s response as a rare show of accountability in Nigeria’s public sphere.

In a Facebook post, Omokri lauded JAMB Registrar Prof. Ishaq Oloyede for publicly acknowledging the system error that affected nearly 380,000 candidates and offering a clear path for remediation through a scheduled retake.

“Not only did the Registrar General of JAMB take full personal responsibility, but he also provided remedial solutions to indemnify those affected by the unfortunate incident,” Omokri wrote.

He contrasted JAMB’s approach with what he described as a general reluctance among Nigeria’s elite—politicians and religious leaders—to admit mistakes.

Political and Religious Criticism

Omokri referenced a leaked audiotape from the 2023 elections, in which former presidential candidate Peter Obi allegedly described the election as a “religious war”. Omokri claimed Obi has yet to admit or legally challenge the leak, despite public scrutiny.

Turning to religious figures, Omokri criticized Pastor Tunde Bakare, recalling a 2006 interview where Bakare described then-presidential aspirant Muhammadu Buhari as part of Nigeria’s “old political order”, only to later become his running mate in 2011.

Omokri also cited Bakare’s declaration of being divinely appointed as Nigeria’s “16th President” and questioned his failure to retract those claims.

He further called out Pastor Paul Enenche of Dunamis International Gospel Centre for alleged partisan campaigning from the pulpit, stating that such actions would be unacceptable and possibly illegal in other countries.

“By engaging in open and partisan political campaigning… Pastor Enenche violated [the church’s] nonprofit status and the Electoral Act,” Omokri argued, adding that such conduct could attract penalties if done in countries like the U.S. or U.K.

He concluded by stating that JAMB’s transparency sets a rare but commendable example in Nigeria, urging more public figures to embrace responsibility and lead with integrity.

“What JAMB did took courage. Courage that is in short supply in Nigeria,” Omokri said.