By Ishola Balogun
After ten eventful years at the helm of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board
(JAMB), Professor Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede on Friday formally handed over the
leadership of Nigeria’s foremost admissions agency to Professor Segun Aina, bringing to a close a tenure widely associated with sweeping institutional reforms, technological innovation, financial transparency and renewed public confidence in the nation’s tertiary admissions process.
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Speaking at the handover ceremony held at JAMB’s National Headquarters in Bwari, Abuja, Prof. Oloyede described the occasion as both a moment of gratitude and reflection, declaring that whatever achievements were recorded during his stewardship were products of divine grace and collective effort rather than personal accomplishment.
“It is with a profound sense of gratitude to the Almighty Allah and immense appreciation to all people of goodwill that I address this distinguished audience today,” he said.
“I return all glory to Almighty Allah, whose boundless mercy, wisdom and grace sustained me throughout these remarkable ten years. Through periods of daunting challenges, difficult policy decisions and far-reaching institutional reforms, His guidance remained my greatest source of strength. Whatever accomplishments have been recorded during this period are not mine alone; they are manifestations of His infinite favour and blessings.”
The outgoing Registrar recalled that when he assumed office on August 9, 2016, he deliberately chose the theme, “Let’s Do It Together,” believing that no institution could succeed without collaboration.
“I had no illusion right from the outset that I would depend on God’s guidance and people’s support,” he said. “Doing it together means that many colours make a rainbow and many flowers make a garden.”
A decade built on five pillars
Reflecting on his stewardship, Prof. Oloyede said his administration was anchored on five cardinal principles—staff welfare, discipline, technology, transparency and networking—which became the foundation of JAMB’s transformation.
“When I took over the mandate of leadership at JAMB, I outlined five cardinal points that my administration would be anchored on… In these five, though perfection belongs to the Almighty Allah, I can confidently say we tried our best.”
Welfare before productivity
He explained that his administration invested heavily in staff welfare, arguing that no institution could outperform the people who run it.
Among the initiatives introduced were timely promotions, improved work environments, rehabilitation and construction of offices nationwide, over N8 billion contributed to staff retirement savings, retirement benefits ranging between N3 million and N10 million, the introduction of a 13th-month salary, examination duty allowances increased from 10 to 20 per cent, free daily meals, transport support for key operational staff and medical interventions, including N12 million approved for the treatment of a staff member at the National Hospital.
Exceptional staff were rewarded with cash prizes and awards, while one zonal office and a Professional Test Centre complex were named after a deserving employee.
“We stood by our decision because without dedicated and motivated staff, we won’t achieve the JAMB that Nigeria deserves,” he declared.
Beyond staff welfare, he said candidates also benefited from reforms, including a 30 per cent reduction in the UTME application cost and comprehensive support for candidates with special needs through sponsorship, accommodation, feeding and refund of application fees.
The Board also extended institutional support through the National Tertiary Admissions Performance Merit (NATAPM) Award, disbursing approximately ¦ 750 million annually to tertiary institutions.
Discipline without compromise
While investing in welfare, Oloyede maintained that discipline remained non-negotiable.
“It is said that the first law in heaven is discipline and indiscipline is the mother of all evils.”
According to him, more than ten staff members faced prosecution over allegations of misconduct during his tenure.
He recalled the widely publicised case involving the infamous claim that a snake swallowed ¦ 36 million, describing it as one of the disciplinary measures undertaken to restore accountability.
“The sensationalised case of a snake gulping N36 million that the media feasted on was just one of the measures taken to entrench discipline,” he said, recalling that even the EFCC had remarked at the time that “an eagle shows no mercy for money-swallowing snakes.”
He added that the insistence on discipline accounted for JAMB’s consistent remittance of billions of naira in operational surpluses to the Federal Government.
Technology as the engine of reform
Perhaps the defining feature of his administration, Oloyede noted, was JAMB’s aggressive deployment of technology.
He listed the expansion of Computer-Based Testing (CBT), development of the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS), biometric identity verification, CCTV surveillance, digital PINs and payment platforms, Remote Authoring and Moderation System (RAMS), digital institutional reforms and the Bring-Your-Device initiative as milestones achieved during the decade.
“At the heart of our operational blueprint is technology and we owe many of our far-reaching reforms to innovative technologies,” he said.
Reflecting on recent technical challenges experienced during the UTME, Oloyede admitted that no technology is infallible.
“What happened last year which made me emotional was proof that technology has its limits, just like everything human, and eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.”
Transparency restores confidence
On transparency, the outgoing Registrar said his administration deliberately opened JAMB’s operations to public scrutiny.
“Our operational and financial transactions are in the open domain and our weekly newsletter always contains details of our activities and finances.”
He described CAPS as one of the Board’s most revolutionary innovations.
“With a system like CAPS, admissions into our institutions are transparent and anyone can question why a candidate is not admitted despite meriting it.”
According to him, the notorious culture of secret or “under-the-table” admissions has largely become a thing of the past.
“My belief is that transparency transforms institutions by eliminating toxic silos.”
Partnerships That Strengthened the Institution
Prof. Oloyede credited much of JAMB’s success to strategic partnerships with government agencies, tertiary institutions, security organisations, examination bodies, the media and over 1,010 private CBT centre owners.
“We could not have achieved anything without leveraging networks and partnerships.”
He acknowledged the cooperation of the National Security Adviser, the Director-General of the Department of State Services, the National Intelligence Agency, the Nigeria Police Force, NSCDC, EFCC, ICPC, NIMC, NCC, Vice Chancellors, Rectors, Provosts, civil society organisations and professional associations within and outside Nigeria.
He also highlighted the establishment of the Nigerian Educational Assessment Academy (NEAA), created alongside 18 national agencies to train educational assessment professionals.
“TEAM means Together Everyone Achieves More,” he said. “That became our mantra.”
Gratitude to leaders, stakeholders
Throughout his address, Oloyede repeatedly acknowledged those he said made JAMB’s transformation possible.
He expressed gratitude to former President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing him, former President Olusegun Obasanjo for earlier identifying his leadership potential, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for retaining confidence in him.
He also thanked Minister of Education Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, former Minister Prof. Tahir Mamman, Minister of State for Education Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, Permanent Secretary Abel Enitan and former Permanent Secretary Sonny Echono.
Several governors also received special recognition for donating land, office complexes, vehicles and Professional Test Centres across the country.
Among those acknowledged were Prof. Babagana Zulum of Borno State, whose government built and donated the North-East Mega Professional Test Centre and named it after him; Nyesom Wike for providing office facilities and land in Rivers State within 24 hours of his request; Babatunde Raji Fashola for facilitating Certificates of Occupancy for JAMB properties; Ibikunle Amosun and Dapo Abiodun for supporting the South-West Mega Professional Test Centre project; Godwin Obaseki for relocating JAMB’s Edo office to a befitting site; Rochas Okorocha for land allocation in Imo State; Babajide Sanwo-Olu for allocating lands across Lagos State; AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Douye Diri for assisting JAMB’s facilities in Kwara and Bayelsa States.
He also appreciated private individuals including Ahmad Raji (SAN) for donating a fully equipped Professional Test Centre in Iseyin and Dr. Wale Babalakin for repeatedly making the Bola Babalakin Hall available free of charge for JAMB’s annual policy meetings.
The outgoing Registrar equally paid tribute to past Registrars, Governing Board members, directors, staff unions, retired employees, examination bodies, tertiary institutions, civil society groups, candidates, parents, security agencies, professional organisations and members of the media.
“I seldom say it in order to keep you on your toes,” he told JAMB staff. “But I now say it loud: thank you very much.”
A legacy beyond infrastructure
Oloyede noted that beyond physical infrastructure, JAMB under his watch earned national and international recognition for accountability, technological innovation and service delivery.
He disclosed that Prof. Emeritus Peter Okebukola had documented about 200 achievements recorded during the administration, while acknowledging the contributions of numerous academics and professionals who helped shape the Board’s reforms.
“The story of JAMB is that of continuous progress,” he said, insisting that his administration merely built upon foundations laid by previous Registrars.
Passing the baton
Turning to his successor, Prof. Segun Aina, Oloyede expressed confidence that the Board’s future remains secure.
“As I hand over the leadership of this great institution, I do so with absolute confidence in its future.”
He described Aina as a younger ICT expert capable of taking JAMB to greater heights.
“I wish my successor great success and his success is the success of all of us who have been privileged to steer JAMB since its inception.”
“My belief is that the advantage and vibrancy of his younger age and his ICT expertise would propel the Board to higher heights than previously attained.”
He pledged to remain available whenever his advice might be needed while urging Nigerians to support the new Registrar.
“There is no success without a successor. They should rather support and pray for Prof. Aina’s success. It is time to face the future with renewed vigour.”
A Personal Farewell
As he prepared to leave office, the former Registrar became reflective, thanking his wife, children, grandchildren and close friends for standing by him throughout what he described as a demanding national assignment.
“It is now over,” he said quietly.
He concluded by once again committing JAMB’s future to God.
“Finally, I thank Almighty Allah for the privilege of serving Nigeria through this noble institution. May He continue to guide, protect and bless the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board in the faithful discharge of its statutory responsibilities for generations to come.”
With those words, Nigerians have witnessed one of the most consequential tenures in the history of JAMB—a decade marked by ambitious reforms, uncompromising accountability, digital transformation and an enduring insistence that institutional success is achieved not by one individual, but by collective purpose.
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