In a bold move against institutional corruption, the African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL) has condemned attempts by the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) at the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to discredit whistleblower Yisa Usman.
Usman, who was dismissed from JAMB after exposing alleged financial irregularities, has become the target of what AFRICMIL has described as a “calculated smear campaign” designed to shift attention away from the core issue of mismanagement within the examination body.
AFRICMIL’s Coordinator, Dr. Chido Onumah, in a statement on February 11, emphasized that Usman’s allegations are “based on verifiable facts that demand thorough investigation.” Onumah criticized the unions’ claims that JAMB’s classification as a Government-Owned Enterprise (GOE) absolves it from scrutiny, stating that “the concern isn’t about classification but about how public funds—collected from struggling Nigerian students—are being mismanaged.”
AFRICMIL further challenged assertions that oversight bodies have cleared JAMB of wrongdoing, demanding that the unions release full investigative reports to ensure public accountability. “If JAMB has nothing to hide, these reports should be open to independent review,” Onumah stated.
Contrary to the unions’ claim that Usman’s allegations surfaced out of spite after his dismissal, AFRICMIL clarified that his whistleblowing efforts were the very reason for his victimization. “Usman didn’t speak out because he was fired; he was fired because he spoke out,” the statement read.
AFRICMIL also warned against what it described as false narratives about ongoing legal proceedings, stressing the importance of respecting the principle of sub judice.
“Attempts to distort the facts of this case in the public domain are reckless and undermine the integrity of the judicial process,” Onumah warned.
Calling for a transparent, independent probe into JAMB’s financial practices, AFRICMIL reiterated its support for Usman and other whistleblowers facing retaliation.
“Silencing whistleblowers will not erase the corruption they expose. Instead of attacking the messenger, JAMB and its unions should focus on addressing the allegations,” AFRICMIL concluded.
The case continues to stir public debate, spotlighting the broader challenges of corruption and whistleblower protection in Nigeria’s public institutions.