Education Stakeholders Set Agenda for Prof. Segun Aina, New JAMB Registrar

Nigerian education stakeholders have urged the newly appointed Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Segun Aina, to sustain the reforms and transparency introduced by his predecessor, Professor Ishaq Oloyede.

The stakeholders community, which comprises parents, students, school proprietors, academics, administrators, and policymakers, said the new Registrar should preserve the integrity of the nation's tertiary admission process while strengthening the Board's technology-driven operations.

Their expectations come days after Oloyede completed his two-term tenure and officially handed over leadership of the examination body.

While applauding Oloyede's impact on JAMB over the past decade, many of the stakeholders called on Aina to maintain a firm stance against examination malpractice and continue enforcing merit-based admissions.

AD: Join thousands of successful students and turn your UTME dream score into reality – download the ExamGuide UTME Learning App now and start your journey to academic excellence

Some, however, expressed concerns over JAMB's growing reputation as a revenue-generating agency for the Federal Government. They argued that the Board should limit its charges to the actual cost of conducting examinations and avoid increasing registration fees under the new administration.

Speaking on Oloyede's legacy, the National President of the National Association of Parent-Teacher Associations of Nigeria (NPTAN), Alhaji Haruna Danjuma, described the outgoing Registrar as an honest, intelligent, and God-fearing leader who transformed JAMB into a model examination body on the continent.

“I hope and pray that Professor Segun Aina, the new Registrar, is well prepared to use his vast knowledge and experience to add significantly to the good work Professor Oloyede has done,” Danjuma said.

Also commenting, the Secretary-General of the League of Muslim School Proprietors (LEAMSP), Mr. Fatai Raheem, credited Oloyede with restoring credibility to Nigeria's university admission process.

“We used to hear before his tenure that some parents and ‘miracle centres’ bribed JAMB officials to inflate UTME scores or used fraud to gain university admissions,” Raheem stated.

“Those dubious practices failed to thrive under Oloyede. If they existed at all, it was on a minimal scale. Oloyede ensured admission was strictly based on merit. Once a candidate passes the UTME, meets the cut-off points, and fulfills the O’Level requirements, admission is guaranteed. Candidates were no longer substituted due to money or influence.” He added

If you want to pass the 2027 JAMB UTME exam with flying colors, practice with ExamGuide UTME Learning App. Download the app from https://www.examguide.com/offline/products/utme

Raheem further praised the Board's strict monitoring of admissions into tertiary institutions, saying the system made it difficult for institutions to bypass established procedures.

“This made it difficult for Vice-Chancellors or Rectors to bypass due process. The new Registrar must work hard to meet this high standard. Oloyede left behind very big shoes to fill,” he added.

The former National President of the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), Mr. Anselm Izuagie, also commended Oloyede's leadership, describing his tenure as one marked by bold decisions and lasting reforms.

According to Izuagie, Oloyede's willingness to make difficult decisions was instrumental to the transformation witnessed at JAMB.

“To transform JAMB, he had to step on toes, and it worked for him. This means the new Registrar must not be afraid to step on toes, provided he is doing the right thing for Nigeria rather than for selfish interests,” Izuagie said.

He also advised Aina not to rely solely on his background as a computer engineer but to focus on strengthening the institution through visionary leadership.

“We are told that the new Registrar is a scholar and an IT guru. But succeeding at JAMB goes beyond professional callings. Oloyede is an Islamic scholar, not an ICT icon, yet he revolutionised JAMB using technology because he knew what he wanted. While isolated cases of exam malpractice persisted, Oloyede demonstrated zero tolerance and fought it throughout his tenure. The successor must now build on this standard and carve a niche for himself,”  Izuagie added.

Preparing to sit for UTME? Download ExamGuide UTME Practice App from www.examguide.com/offline/products/utme