Former Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, has blamed parents—not candidates—for fueling examination malpractice in Nigeria, describing their involvement as one of the most disturbing experiences of his decade-long leadership of the examination body.
Speaking during an interview on ThisDay Live on Sunday, Oloyede said many parents deliberately expose their children to dishonest practices in a desperate bid to secure admission into tertiary institutions.
According to him, the majority of candidates are not the masterminds of examination fraud, arguing that parents are often the driving force behind the malpractice.
«”The most painful period of my experience in JAMB had to do with the level of involvement of parents in the organisation of examination malpractice,” he said.»
«”They are introducing their wards, their children to the world of criminality.”»
Oloyede maintained that candidates are largely victims of the pressure and influence exerted by their parents.
«”Most of the candidates are not problematic. They are not the problem. The problem is the parents,” he said.»
The former JAMB boss said he was often emotionally affected whenever he encountered cases of parents facilitating examination malpractice.
«”Every time I was confronted with the reality of what parents were doing, I became very emotional because I kept asking myself how people could destroy their own future to this extent,” he said.»
He added that even parents who have personal shortcomings should not pass such values on to their children.
«”Even if you have deficiencies, you shouldn’t transfer them to the next generation. Unfortunately, that is what many parents are doing,” he said.»
Oloyede Speaks on ‘Snake Swallowed Money’ Controversy
Reflecting on some of the controversies that trailed his tenure, including the widely publicised “snake swallowed money” saga, Oloyede said the incident was often misunderstood and exaggerated.
According to him, the incident occurred before he became JAMB registrar, but he was responsible for handling the matter after assuming office.
«”The snake matter did not occur when I was there. It happened before I assumed office. As the registrar of JAMB, I had to address it,” he said.»
He explained that he insisted the official’s account be recorded because it was difficult to believe.
«”There was no snake. It was unbelievable to us that someone could make such a claim. If we had not recorded the person’s narration, people might have doubted that it was ever said.”»
Oloyede added that while the story eventually became a source of public amusement, no snake ever swallowed JAMB funds.
«”Many people took it literally and believed a snake swallowed money in JAMB. That never happened,” he said.»
