NGE Lauds Oloyede’s 10-Year JAMB Reforms, Urges Successor to Sustain Legacy

The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has praised the outgoing Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, for what it described as a remarkable decade of reforms that restored public confidence in Nigeria's admission examination body.

Speaking during a farewell media parley organised in honour of Oloyede, the President of the NGE, Eze Anaba, said the outgoing registrar transformed JAMB from an institution battling credibility concerns into one widely respected for transparency, efficiency, and integrity.

Prof. Oloyede, who assumed office as JAMB Registrar in 2016 and was reappointed for a second five-year term in 2021, is scheduled to leave office on July 31, 2026. He will be succeeded by Prof. Segun Aina, recently appointed by President Bola Tinubu as the new Registrar of the Board.

Anaba commended Oloyede's leadership, describing his tenure as evidence that competent and transparent leadership can deliver meaningful change in Nigeria's public institutions.

According to him, the outgoing registrar's achievements over the last 10 years demonstrate that the country's challenges can be overcome when capable individuals are entrusted with leadership responsibilities.

He also applauded the cordial relationship Oloyede maintained with the media throughout his administration, noting that journalists can simultaneously hold public officials accountable while supporting leaders who uphold integrity and good governance.

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Anaba urged the incoming JAMB Registrar, Prof. Segun Aina, to preserve and build on the reforms introduced by his predecessor.

"What Oloyede did goes beyond talent," he said. "It shows that people can get into public office, succeed and leave an impact."

Responding to the applause, Prof. Oloyede expressed gratitude to media professionals for their balanced and constructive coverage of JAMB's activities throughout his tenure.

According to him, media scrutiny helped his administration remain accountable and motivated the Board to continually improve its operations.

"You played the role of both the friends and the enemy," Oloyede said. "All the criticism that you hit us with is for our growth. And you know, we would always tell you, this is our side of the story. Your criticisms have been fantastic and very helpful."

The outgoing registrar appealed to media executives to extend the same level of support and objective reporting to his successor.

He also assured Prof. Aina of his willingness to provide guidance whenever necessary, dismissing suggestions that introducing the incoming registrar to his professional networks should be interpreted as an attempt to retain influence after leaving office.

Oloyede explained that the gesture was simply intended to give his successor a smooth start and should not be viewed as a "third term" by proxy.

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In his remarks, the incoming JAMB Registrar, Prof. Segun Aina, pledged to sustain and institutionalise the reforms implemented under Oloyede's administration.

He described his appointment as a national responsibility that transcends personal ambition and expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for the confidence reposed in him.

Prof. Aina also called on media executives to continue supporting JAMB through honest, balanced, and constructive reporting, saying such engagement would help the Board strengthen its service delivery and maintain public trust.

Oloyede's tenure at JAMB has been widely recognised for introducing technology-driven reforms, strengthening examination integrity, improving transparency in admissions, and increasing public confidence in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) process. His successor is expected to assume office on August 1, 2026, as the Board begins a new phase of leadership.

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