By Ngozi Nwankwo
Outgoing Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede has officially handed over to his successor, Professor Segun Aina as the 6th Registrar of the Board.
Oloyede, in his farewell address titled “History Made, Future Beckons,” said the Board recorded major reforms in the last decade through “Let’s Do It Together.”
He listed the strengthening of CBT, deployment of CAPS, enhanced biometric verification, digital payments, and RAMS as key innovations that improved transparency and reduced malpractice.
Oloyede said JAMB invested over ₦8 billion in staff welfare, introduced retirement benefits of ₦3 million to ₦10 million, and cut UTME application fees by about 30%. He also noted sponsorship for candidates living with disabilities.
He urged staff to give Aina maximum support, and thanked Presidents Tinubu, Buhari and Obasanjo, Ministers of Education, governors and stakeholders for their support.
Oloyede said the Board maintained zero tolerance for corruption, with several staff disciplined and prosecuted, and attributed consistent remittances to government to financial discipline.
Meanwhile, Aina paid tribute to all former Registrars, particularly Oloyede, for mentoring the next generation of leaders.
“Leadership is measured not only by how we assume office, but also by how we prepare others to succeed,” he said.
Aina pledged to make credibility and technology the hallmark of Nigeria’s tertiary admissions process.
Aina, 40, becomes the youngest person to lead the Board.
He succeeds Professor Is-haq Oloyede whose 10-year, two-term tenure expired. President Bola Tinubu appointed him on May 21, 2026.
In his inaugural address titled “The Trust We Hold,” Aina warned examination fraudsters, impersonators and cybercriminals that JAMB would intensify detection, deterrence and prosecution under his watch.
“Every young Nigerian must know that success in JAMB will continue to be earned through preparation, merit and honest effort — not through influence, manipulation or fraud,” he said.
“Addressing those behind examination malpractice, I say: Hear me clearly. Your business is with the wrong institution.”
He described any fraudulent admission as “theft of opportunity, theft of hope and theft from the future of our nation.”
The Professor of Computer Engineering said the Board will deploy more lawful technological, administrative and investigative measures to curb malpractice, and strengthen collaboration with security agencies.
“We will continuously improve our systems. We will invest in stronger technology. We will learn from global best practice, and we will ensure that those who seek to outsmart the system increasingly find themselves outmatched by it,” he said.
Aina also promised to simplify JAMB processes, improve communication, strengthen customer support, protect candidates’ data and invest in staff development to reduce the stress candidates and parents face.
“The office I assume today does not belong to me. It belongs to every young Nigerian whose future passes through JAMB,” he said.
