CSO accuses JAMB of ‘backdoor’ recruitment weeks before registrar’s exit

By Joy Baba-Yesufu

A civil society organization, the Empowerment for Unemployed Youth Initiative (EUYI), has called on the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to clarify the circumstances surrounding a massive recruitment exercise allegedly conducted in secrecy by the examination body.
The group alleged that JAMB issued more than 100 employment letters in June 2026 without publicly advertising the vacancies or conducting an open competitive process, raising serious questions about equal access to public sector jobs.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, EUYI’s National Coordinator, Comrade Danesi Momoh Prince, and Secretary, Comrade Igwe Ude-Umanta, described the development as deeply troubling and a clear violation of established public service rules.
According to the organisation, the alleged appointments were made barely six weeks before the expiration of the tenure of the Registrar of JAMB, Professor Ishaq Oloyede.
The group added that the timing is particularly suspicious given that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has already appointed Professor Segun Aina to assume leadership of the examination body, effective July 30, 2026.
“If confirmed, this recruitment exercise completely undermines established procedures governing employment into federal government agencies.
“There was no publicly known advertisement inviting applications from qualified, everyday Nigerians,” EUYI stated.
While noting that its claims remain allegations pending an official clarification from JAMB, the organization challenged the agency to come clean and make public all relevant information relating to the hiring process.
Specifically, EUYI is demanding that JAMB release evidence of public vacancy advertisements, the total number of applications received, the specific selection criteria and approval processes adopted, and proof of compliance with federal character principles.
The group also urged the Federal Character Commission (FCC) to clarify its involvement, if any, in the exercise and reassure Nigerians that statutory guidelines were strictly monitored.
Vowing to continue its campaign against job racketeering and exclusionary hiring practices in Nigeria, the EUYI issued a three-day ultimatum to JAMB management to respond to the allegations and provide evidence that due process was followed.
As of the time of filing this report, JAMB had yet to issue an official response to the allegations.