The Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), the youth wing of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, has called for the immediate removal of Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Registrar, Is-haq Oloyede, following technical issues that affected nearly 380,000 candidates during the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME).

In a statement issued on Friday, OYC President Igboayaka O. Igboayaka described Nigeria as a "failed entity" after JAMB reported technical problems affecting 379,997 candidates across 157 examination centers, primarily in Lagos and the South-east regions.

The youth organization criticized JAMB's decision to reschedule the affected examinations within 72 hours, describing it as insensitive to the economic hardships currently facing Nigerian families. According to the statement, the hasty rescheduling places additional financial burdens on parents who must arrange logistics for their children with limited notice.

"Rescheduling the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations within 72 hours, after JAMB Registrar Is-haq Oloyede apologized and admitted errors, demonstrates Mr. Oloyede's insensitivity and the Nigerian State's disregard for the hardship faced by Nigerians," Igboayaka stated.

The OYC called for the cancellation of the emergency examination scheduled for May 16, 2025, suggesting that it should be postponed until after students complete their WAEC examinations.

In a direct appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Igboayaka urged the immediate termination of Oloyede's appointment, describing the situation as an "international shame and embarrassment" for Nigeria.

The statement further alleged that JAMB had orchestrated a "manipulated mass failure" against Igbo students in the Southeast and Lagos, claiming this reinforced a pattern of victimization against Igbo people in Nigeria.

"This outcome and deliberate exam fraud by JAMB has further justified the stance of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who pursued the creation of a new nation for the Igbo people through non-violent means," the statement added.

The controversy comes amid ongoing concerns about Nigeria's education system and the challenges faced by students seeking admission into tertiary institutions. JAMB has reportedly introduced an emergency support center for affected candidates, though the OYC maintains this response is insufficient.

As of the time of this report, JAMB has not issued an official response to the OYC's demands for Oloyede's removal.