Former Anambra State governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has issued a stern warning against the increasing frequency of technical glitches in Nigeria’s public institutions, cautioning that such failures, if unchecked, could escalate into a national crisis.
Obi’s statement comes in the wake of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s (JAMB) recent revelation that technical issues affected the results of 379,997 candidates who sat for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, in a press conference, openly admitted the lapses and expressed deep regret over the inconvenience caused.
Obi commended Prof. Oloyede for his rare show of transparency and accountability, noting that such openness is commendable and should be the standard in Nigeria’s public institutions.
However, he warned that the situation points to a much deeper and concerning issue — the systemic fragility of Nigeria’s critical institutions.
Obi described the JAMB incident as symptomatic of a broader national problem where technological and administrative failures have become commonplace.
According to him, these glitches are not mere inconveniences but can have far-reaching consequences on individuals and society at large.
“The emotional and psychological toll on students and parents affected by these failures is devastating. Reports of trauma, and in some heartbreaking cases, deaths, remind us of the human cost of systemic incompetence,” Obi said.
He stressed that the integrity of examination processes and the overall reliability of public institutions are not optional luxuries but essential pillars for national progress and global credibility.
While acknowledging JAMB’s prompt response and willingness to address the problem, Obi insisted that reactive measures are no longer sufficient. He emphasized the need for a proactive, systemic overhaul to prevent future occurrences.
He advocated for the immediate adoption of robust quality assurance frameworks across all critical sectors, highlighting the importance of rigorous testing and constant auditing of technical infrastructure.
“Moreover, transparent communication with candidates and stakeholders, coupled with the prompt resolution of arising issues, is essential to restoring public confidence.
“There must be no room for further glitches – not in JAMB, not in any arm of government. The cost of repeated failure is simply too high,” Obi said in a statement on Thursday.
