After 10 years as Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede is set to leave office following the completion of his two-term tenure.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Prof. Segun Aina as his successor, ending months of speculation over who would take over the leadership of the examination body.
Oloyede’s departure marks the end of a decade widely regarded as transformative for JAMB. Under his leadership, the Board evolved from a government-dependent agency into a revenue-generating institution that regularly remitted funds to the Federal Government.
His administration introduced reforms aimed at improving transparency, reducing examination malpractice, and curbing admission racketeering. One of his major innovations was the introduction of the Central Admission Processing System (CAPS), designed to regulate and monitor admissions into tertiary institutions.
Although praised for modernising JAMB’s operations, observers say the outgoing registrar leaves behind “big shoes to fill.”
Former Punch editor, Mr. Bola Bolawole, described Oloyede’s exit as significant, noting that stakeholders would expect his successor to sustain the reforms and standards established during his tenure.
The incoming registrar, Aina, is a Professor of Computer Engineering known for his academic and research achievements. He is also one of the youngest professors in his field and is expected to bring technological expertise to the agency.
Aina comes from a family with a strong academic background. His father, Prof. Olu Aina, is a respected expert in vocational and technical education who previously served as Registrar of the National Business and Technical Examinations Board.
Analysts say one of Aina’s immediate challenges will be sustaining transparency and accountability within the Board while strengthening measures against examination malpractice and cyber-related fraud.
Despite improvements recorded under Oloyede, reports of rogue websites and admission scams still persist. Stakeholders believe Aina’s background in computer engineering could help JAMB further tighten its technological systems and security architecture.
Observers also want the new registrar to enforce stricter compliance with CAPS to tackle illegal admissions by tertiary institutions, an issue that has continued despite existing regulations.
In addition, Aina is expected to maintain JAMB’s relationship with the media. Oloyede was widely regarded as accessible and media-friendly, regularly engaging journalists and responding to public concerns about the examination process.
With the transition now underway, attention is focused on whether the new registrar can build on Oloyede’s legacy while addressing lingering challenges within Nigeria’s tertiary admission system.
