…Outgoing Registrar lists 200 achievements, urges support for success
…Highlights N8bn staff welfare package, anti-corruption drive, billions remitted to FG
Daud Olatunji
The outgoing Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Prof. Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede, on Friday formally handed over the leadership of the nation’s admissions agency after a decade in office, declaring that reforms driven by technology, transparency and discipline had restored public confidence in Nigeria’s tertiary admissions system.
Speaking during the handover ceremony at JAMB’s national headquarters in Bwari, Abuja, Oloyede said the Board had undergone a remarkable transformation since he assumed office on August 9, 2016, stressing that the achievements recorded were products of collective efforts rather than individual accomplishments.
He officially handed over to Prof. Segun Aina, expressing confidence that the new Registrar would consolidate on the reforms and take the Board to greater heights.
Addressing management, staff, government officials and stakeholders, Oloyede described his tenure as one anchored on five cardinal principles—staff welfare, discipline, technology, transparency and networking—which, according to him, shaped the institution’s reforms over the past 10 years.
“I have no doubt that under the leadership of my successor, Professor Segun Aina, JAMB will continue to attain even greater heights in the service of our nation,” he said.
The outgoing Registrar disclosed that JAMB invested over ₦8 billion in strengthening employees’ retirement savings and introduced several welfare packages, including a 13th-month salary, examination duty incentives, free transportation for critical staff and financial support for medical treatments.
According to him, retiring workers also received “retirement handshakes” ranging between ₦3 million and ₦10 million, while outstanding staff members were rewarded with cash prizes and institutional honours.
He said the Board equally extended welfare to candidates by reducing the cost of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination application by 30 per cent and providing financial support for candidates living with disabilities, including transportation, accommodation, feeding and refunds of application fees.
Oloyede noted that JAMB also disbursed about ₦750 million annually to tertiary institutions through its National Tertiary Admissions Performance Merit Award.
Highlighting the Board’s anti-corruption measures, the outgoing Registrar said more than 10 staff members were prosecuted for alleged misconduct during his administration as part of efforts to enforce discipline and accountability.
He recalled the widely publicised “snake swallowed ₦36 million” controversy, saying the incident reflected JAMB’s resolve to investigate corruption rather than shield erring officials.
According to him, strict financial discipline enabled the Board to remit “scores of billions of naira” as operational surpluses into the Federal Government’s treasury.
On technological reforms, Oloyede said JAMB significantly expanded computer-based testing and introduced innovations such as the Central Admissions Processing System, advanced biometric verification, CCTV monitoring, digital payment systems and the Remote Authoring and Moderation System.
He said the reforms drastically reduced examination malpractice and improved the credibility of admissions nationwide.
The outgoing Registrar, however, admitted that technology was not infallible, referencing the technical challenges experienced during the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.
“What happened last year which made me emotional was proof that technology has its limits, just like everything human,” he said.
Reflecting on transparency in admissions, Oloyede described CAPS as one of the Board’s most revolutionary reforms, saying it eliminated arbitrary admissions and made institutional admission processes more accountable.
“The syndrome of under-the-table admissions has been confined to antiquity,” he stated.
He also credited the Board’s progress to extensive collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education, tertiary institutions, examination bodies, security agencies, the National Identity Management Commission, civil society organisations, media organisations and over 1,000 accredited Computer-Based Test centres.
The former Registrar expressed appreciation to Presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Ahmed Tinubu for giving him the opportunity to serve, as well as successive Ministers of Education and state governors who supported JAMB’s infrastructure expansion across the country.
He specifically acknowledged the contributions of governors who donated land, office complexes and facilities for the construction of mega Professional Test and Registration Centres in states including Borno, Ogun, Rivers, Edo, Imo, Lagos, Kwara and Bayelsa.
Oloyede also praised JAMB staff, describing the overwhelming majority as committed professionals despite the existence of a few bad eggs.
“Most of the JAMB staff are competent and committed Nigerians. I seldom say it in order to keep you on your toes, but I now say it loud: thank you very much,” he said.
While expressing gratitude to candidates, parents and other stakeholders, the outgoing Registrar said their feedback consistently pushed the Board to improve service delivery.
He disclosed that education experts had documented over 200 achievements recorded during his administration, saying the milestones reflected years of institutional reforms rather than personal accomplishments.
Looking ahead, Oloyede urged stakeholders to rally behind his successor instead of dwelling on his exit.
“There is no success without a successor,” he said.
“I wish Professor Segun Aina great success. His success is the success of all of us who have been privileged to steer JAMB since its inception.”
He added that Aina’s relatively younger age and expertise in information and communication technology positioned him to advance the Board’s digital transformation.
“As I return to my family with gratitude, I thank Almighty Allah for the privilege of serving Nigeria through this noble institution,” Oloyede said.
“The future is now. Professor Aina, the sky shall be your beginning, not your limit.”
'
'Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
