BY EZENWA OPARA

Following the disruption that affected over 379,000 candidates across the country, many expected silence, blame-shifting or denial. Instead, Professor Oloyede did something increasingly rare in public office—he took full responsibility. During a press briefing in Bwari, he did not merely offer a corporate-style apology; he went further, owning the error and expressing genuine remorse. Visibly moved, he broke into tears while addressing the nation, saying: “I apologise for the trauma caused the candidates and I take full responsibility for this.”

This was not the performance of a man trying to salvage his reputation, but rather the action of a leader deeply committed to transparency and integrity. He explained that the glitch originated from one of JAMB’s service providers, whose failure to deploy updated grading software resulted in widespread disruption, particularly in the Lagos and Owerri zones.

What makes Professor Oloyede’s response stand out is not simply that he apologised, but how he did it—with clarity, humility, and accountability. His words were not couched in technical jargon, nor did he resort to blaming external factors to shield the institution. He acknowledged that the error represented “significant self-harm to the integrity we’ve built over the years,” but remained resolute in his commitment to “transparency, fairness, and equity.”

Ethical leadership demands more than the avoidance of wrongdoing. It calls for moral courage, especially in difficult times. It means setting a tone at the top that prioritises values over optics and accepts responsibility when things go wrong. In public relations, where the trust of the public is paramount, this form of leadership is not optional—it is essential.

Professor Oloyede’s actions are a masterclass in ethical leadership and crisis communication. Rather than allow misinformation to fester or let public outrage escalate, he swiftly informed the public of remedial measures. Affected candidates, he assured, would be notified via SMS and given new dates to retake the examination, ensuring no student would be left disadvantaged.

This level of openness reinforces the notion that leadership is about stewardship. When a leader acknowledges fault, proposes solutions, and does so with empathy, it strengthens institutional credibility in the long term. It is not a sign of weakness to admit mistakes—it is, in fact, one of the strongest indicators of principled leadership.

In a public sector landscape often clouded by excuses and evasiveness, Professor Oloyede has demonstrated that ethical leadership is not just a theoretical ideal, but a practical necessity. His response should serve as a benchmark for leaders across Nigeria and beyond, showing that when trust is broken, honesty, accountability, and swift corrective action are the surest paths to restoration.

By confronting the issue head-on, placing the welfare of students first, and refusing to sacrifice ethics at the altar of institutional image, Professor Oloyede has not only managed a crisis but has elevated the standard of leadership in Nigerian public service.

Opara, a  strategic public relations & media specialist, writes from Lagos and can be reached via [email protected]

Views expressed by contributors are strictly personal and not of TheCable.