Parents, Not Students, Fuel Exam Malpractice in Nigeria

Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, the former Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has attributed the rise in examination malpractice in Nigeria to the actions of parents rather than the students themselves. During an interview on ThisDay Live, Oloyede described the involvement of parents in facilitating dishonest practices as the most painful aspect of his 10-year tenure at JAMB.

He noted that many parents intentionally guide their children towards criminality in their quest for higher education admissions. Oloyede asserted that the candidates are often not the problem, stating, “The problem are the parents.” He expressed emotional distress when confronted with cases of parental involvement in examination fraud, emphasizing that parents should not pass their personal shortcomings onto their children.

Oloyede also reflected on controversies during his tenure, including the sensationalized "snake swallowed money" incident, clarifying that it occurred before his time as registrar but he had to address it. He concluded by affirming that no institution can admit undergraduate students without going through JAMB.