The African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL) has slammed the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) at the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for what it described as a smear campaign against whistleblower Yisa Usman, who was dismissed after revealing alleged financial misconduct within the institution.
In a press statement signed by AFRICMIL’s Coordinator, Dr. Chido Onumah, the organization accused the unions of launching misleading attacks designed to shift focus away from the critical issue of corruption in JAMB’s financial administration.
“These baseless allegations against the whistleblower are a calculated effort to divert attention from the financial irregularities he courageously exposed,” the statement read.
AFRICMIL asserted that Usman’s revelations were grounded in verifiable evidence and called for a thorough, independent investigation into JAMB’s financial dealings. The organization criticized the unions’ reliance on JAMB’s status as a Government-Owned Enterprise (GOE) to defend the institution, arguing that classification does not excuse mismanagement of public funds.
“JAMB is not a profit-making enterprise; it handles funds collected from Nigerian students, many of whom make significant sacrifices to afford examination fees. Transparency and accountability are non-negotiable,” AFRICMIL stated.
The organization also challenged claims by the unions that oversight bodies had cleared JAMB of wrongdoing. AFRICMIL demanded that the unions make any such investigation reports public, stressing that accountability in public institutions must be open and subject to independent scrutiny.
Addressing Usman’s dismissal, AFRICMIL dismissed the narrative that his allegations were motivated by his termination. Instead, the organization argued that his persistent calls for financial accountability led to his victimization.
“Usman did not start speaking out because he was fired. He was fired because he refused to stay silent about the financial misconduct he witnessed,” Onumah emphasized.
AFRICMIL further warned the unions against misrepresenting ongoing legal proceedings concerning the whistleblower’s case. The organization urged them to respect the judicial process and refrain from distorting facts to discredit Usman.
The statement concluded with a strong endorsement of Usman’s bravery, stating that attempts to silence whistleblowers through character assassination would not absolve JAMB or its officials from answering for financial mismanagement.
AFRICMIL reiterated its commitment to supporting whistleblowers and anti-corruption efforts, calling for a transparent and independent investigation into JAMB’s financial and administrative operations.
This incident highlights the growing tension between whistleblowers and institutions in Nigeria, as efforts to expose corruption continue to be met with resistance and retaliation.