By Joseph Erunke
Outgoing registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, on Friday formally bowed out after a decade at the helm of Nigeria’s foremost admissions agency, declaring that he was leaving behind a stronger, more transparent and globally respected institution than the one he inherited in 2016.
At an emotional handover ceremony held at the board’s National Headquarters in Bwari, Abuja, Oloyede reflected on what he described as ten years of “history-making reforms,” saying JAMB had evolved into a model public institution through discipline, technology, transparency, staff welfare and strategic partnerships.
Handing over to the new registrar, Prof. Segun Aina, Oloyede urged Nigerians to rally behind his successor, insisting that the future of the Board depends on continuity rather than personalities.
“There is no success without a successor. Support Professor Aina, pray for his success, because his success will be the success of JAMB and Nigeria, “ he declared.
The former registrar, who served under Presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Tinubu, attributed the board’s transformation to divine grace and collective effort, saying his administration’s guiding philosophy, “Let’s Do It Together,” became the foundation upon which the institution’s achievements were built.
“I leave with immense gratitude rather than a sense of personal accomplishment. Whatever we achieved was possible because thousands of committed Nigerians worked together to strengthen this institution,” he said.
Looking back on his stewardship, Oloyede highlighted sweeping reforms that repositioned JAMB as one of Nigeria’s most transparent government agencies.
According to him, the board strengthened the Computer-Based Test system, introduced the Central Admissions Processing System, CAPS, expanded biometric verification, deployed digital payment platforms, improved CCTV surveillance, introduced remote examination management technologies and deepened digital transformation across its operations.
He noted that the reforms drastically reduced examination malpractice, eliminated opaque admission practices and restored confidence in Nigeria’s tertiary admission process.
“Technology became the backbone of our reforms. It strengthened integrity, improved efficiency and made manipulation increasingly difficult,” he said.
Oloyede disclosed that staff welfare also received unprecedented attention during his administration.
He revealed that JAMB committed over N8 billion to improving workers’ retirement savings, introduced a “13th-month salary,” increased examination duty allowances from 10 to 20 per cent, provided free transportation and meals for staff on critical assignments and funded medical treatments running into millions of naira.
Retiring staff, he added, also received retirement packages ranging from N3 million to N10 million.
“We believed that motivated workers are essential to building an efficient institution,” he said.
The outgoing registrar equally defended his administration’s uncompromising stance on discipline, revealing that more than 10 staff members were prosecuted over alleged misconduct during his tenure.
He recalled the widely publicised case in which a staff member claimed that a snake swallowed ₦36 million, describing it as one of several disciplinary measures taken to reinforce accountability within the Board.
“We promoted staff welfare but never compromised on discipline. You either endure the pain of discipline or suffer the pain of regret,” he stated.
Oloyede also said JAMB reduced the cost of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, forms by 30 per cent, while extending special support to candidates living with disabilities by providing free transportation, accommodation, feeding and refunds of registration fees.
He further disclosed that the Board had continued to support tertiary institutions nationwide through its National Tertiary Admissions Performance Merit (NATAPM) Awards, disbursing about ₦750 million annually.
The outgoing registrar used the occasion to express gratitude to President Tinubu, former President Muhammadu Buhari, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, and several former and serving governors who supported JAMB’s infrastructure expansion across the country.
He listed major projects executed in partnership with states, including mega Professional Test Centres and zonal offices in Kaduna, Borno, Rivers, Ogun, Edo, Imo, Lagos, Kwara and Bayelsa States.
He also paid glowing tribute to past Registrars, governing board members, members of staff, security agencies, tertiary institutions, examination bodies, development partners, civil society organisations and the media for contributing to the Board’s success over the years.
While admitting that his administration was not without challenges, Oloyede accepted responsibility for any shortcomings.
“We made mistakes and corrected them. Whatever was done well belongs to all of us. Whatever fell short, I accept responsibility and ask for forgiveness,” he said.
Expressing confidence in the future of the institution, the former Registrar described Professor Aina as a capable administrator whose youthfulness and expertise in information and communication technology would take JAMB to greater heights.
“My belief is that his vibrancy, youthful energy and ICT expertise will propel this institution beyond what we have achieved. Whenever my advice is needed, I will always be available,” he said.
As he formally signed off from public service, Oloyede announced that he would return to his family, academic engagements and religious commitments after ten eventful years of leading one of Nigeria’s most consequential public institutions.
“The future is now. Professor Aina, the sky shall be your beginning, not your limit, “ he declared.
The ceremony marked the end of one of the most transformative eras in JAMB’s 49-year history.
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