The tragic death of 19-year-old Timilehin Faith Opesusi has cast a dark shadow over Nigeria’s 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). The young student reportedly ended her life after receiving what she believed to be a disappointing score—190 out of 400—amid a widespread technical error caused by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). Her heartbreaking reaction underscores the immense pressure Nigerian youths face in a system riddled with inefficiencies, while also revealing the deeper crisis of accountability plaguing public institutions.
A Preventable Tragedy
Timilehin’s death was not merely the outcome of a poor score; it stemmed from a deeper betrayal—one rooted in a systemic failure that JAMB initially denied. Following a public outcry over unusually low results, JAMB blamed parents, students, and so-called “miracle centres” for the mass failure. However, public pressure forced the agency to take a closer look. On May 14, 2025, JAMB acknowledged via a social media post that a technical glitch had indeed disrupted examinations in 157 of the 887 testing centres.
Rather than issue a direct and unambiguous apology, JAMB’s post on X (formerly Twitter) bizarrely quoted the proverb, “Man proposes, God disposes,” implying that divine intervention was to blame. This phrase, totally misplaced in the context of a human-induced error, reflected an unwillingness to fully accept responsibility. The glitch—later confirmed as the main reason behind the widespread poor performance—was entirely within human control and not a result of unforeseeable circumstances like natural disasters.
Timilehin’s story highlights the irreversible consequences of institutional failures. Her decision to take her life over an erroneous exam result should serve as a call to action. Mistakes may be unavoidable, but when they result in loss of life, the issue is no longer technical—it becomes moral and ethical.
The Data Behind the Disaster
JAMB disclosed that over 1.9 million candidates sat for the UTME this year. Shockingly, only 420,415—just 22 percent—scored above 200 out of 400. A staggering 78 percent of students scored below 200, a performance that raised red flags across the education sector. Initially, JAMB blamed poor preparation and over-reliance on exam malpractice centres. But the real cause—identified days later—was a technical failure in nearly 18 percent of the examination centres nationwide.
This mishap shook public confidence in one of Nigeria’s most important academic institutions. Yet, rather than act decisively to restore trust, JAMB’s leadership leaned into excuses, deflecting blame and resisting full transparency.
Who Bears the Responsibility?
The controversy raises a critical leadership question: Should the Registrar of JAMB, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, resign?
Opinions are divided. Some argue that Oloyede, who has previously recorded notable successes in digitizing and reforming JAMB, should stay and rectify the mistake. They view his apology as sufficient and see value in his continued presence to guide corrective measures. Others, including the Minister of Education, believe resignation would be the appropriate response to such a grave error. They argue that stepping down would demonstrate responsibility, restore institutional integrity, and send a message that accountability matters in public service.
In more advanced democracies, leaders resign when scandals tarnish the organisations they lead—not necessarily because they are solely to blame, but because leadership is inseparable from accountability. Resignation in such circumstances signals to the public that the institution takes its failures seriously and is willing to evolve. When no one takes the fall, it feeds a culture of impunity and stagnation, which continues to plague underdeveloped nations like Nigeria.
The Cost of Staying Silent
What makes this situation more troubling is the broader cultural refusal to acknowledge institutional shortcomings. By invoking God as the scapegoat, JAMB missed a critical opportunity to own up to its failure and take decisive remedial action. The error was not an act of God—it was a technical and managerial failure, and it could have been avoided with proper oversight, quality assurance, and contingency planning.
If the glitch had occurred in a developed country, it would likely have led to independent investigations, staff reassignments, and high-level resignations. In contrast, in Nigeria, silence, denial, and misplaced blame are too often the norm.
The Importance of Leadership by Example
Public confidence is fragile, particularly in institutions that hold the future of young citizens in their hands. JAMB occupies a central role in Nigeria’s educational ecosystem. It determines university admissions and, by extension, shapes lives and careers. If the agency is to command respect, its leaders must uphold the highest standards of ethics, transparency, and accountability.
Holding on to a leadership role amidst controversy sends the wrong signal. It tells citizens that personal ambition outweighs public service. It suggests that the perks of office matter more than the principle of doing what is right.
Leadership is not about perfection—it is about owning mistakes and modelling the behaviour that builds resilient institutions. When senior officials fail to step aside after grave errors, it erodes public trust and sets a dangerous precedent for future crises.
Restoring Trust and Reinventing JAMB
To move forward, JAMB must undergo a period of self-reflection and reform. At the centre of this must be a renewed commitment to excellence and transparency. The agency must thoroughly audit its systems, engage third-party experts to verify its technical operations, and ensure such a glitch never happens again.
A change in leadership could offer a fresh start. While Oloyede has contributed to many reforms, his continued presence now risks becoming a lightning rod for controversy. A new head could help rebuild public confidence and reposition JAMB as a forward-looking, accountable institution.
Moreover, government agencies across Nigeria should take this moment to institutionalise a culture of responsibility. Leaders must learn that stepping down is not a sign of weakness; rather, it is a powerful statement of integrity. When a leader resigns after a significant failure, it signals maturity, commitment to service, and a desire to protect the institution’s credibility.
Final Thoughts: A Nation at a Crossroads
The suicide of Timilehin Faith Opesusi is a tragic reminder of the heavy human cost of bureaucratic failure. She was more than just a statistic—she was a young Nigerian full of dreams, whose life ended too soon because the system let her down. Her story should prompt national introspection, not deflection.
For Nigeria to rise above its current developmental challenges, it must embrace a culture of responsibility at every level of leadership. Mistakes are inevitable, but how a country responds to them defines its maturity and direction. Institutions like JAMB must lead by example—by accepting blame when due, correcting errors transparently, and most importantly, putting the lives and aspirations of Nigerian youth first.
Leadership without accountability is no leadership at all. If Nigeria hopes to build a nation worthy of its people, then it must begin by holding its public institutions—and their leaders—to the highest standards.
