Ex-JAMB Registrar Oloyede Highlights 20 Major Reforms and Achievements Recorded During His 10 Years Tenure

The immediate past Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Ishaq Oloyede, has highlighted 20 major reforms and achievements recorded during his decade-long leadership of the examination body, saying the Board has evolved into a globally respected institution built on transparency, technology, accountability, and institutional excellence.

Oloyede disclosed this during the official handover ceremony to the new JAMB Registrar, Professor Segun Aina, in Abuja, where he reflected on the Board's transformation over the last 10 years.

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According to him, the achievements recorded during his administration were made possible through the collective efforts of JAMB staff, the Federal Government, tertiary institutions, security agencies, and other stakeholders.

Among the key achievements he highlighted are:

1. Improved staff welfare: JAMB promoted deserving staff, renovated offices nationwide, committed over ₦8 billion to retirement savings, introduced 13th-month salary bonuses, increased examination duty incentives from 10 to 20 per cent, and provided medical support for staff.

2. Reduced cost of UTME registration: The Board reduced the cost of UTME application forms by 30 per cent and sponsored candidates with special needs by providing transportation, accommodation, feeding, and refunds of application fees.

3. Financial support for tertiary institutions: Through the National Tertiary Admissions Performance Merit (NATAPM) Award, JAMB distributed about ₦750 million annually to tertiary institutions across Nigeria.

4. Strengthened discipline: More than 10 staff members were prosecuted over alleged misconduct to strengthen accountability and integrity within the Board.

5. Massive remittances to the Federal Government: Improved financial discipline and anti-corruption measures enabled JAMB to remit billions of naira in operational surpluses to the government.

6. Full adoption of Computer-Based Testing (CBT): JAMB expanded CBT nationwide, making it the standard method for conducting the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

7. Introduction of the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS): The system improved transparency in admissions and significantly reduced opportunities for manipulation.

8. Deployment of advanced technology: The Board introduced biometric identity verification, CCTV surveillance, digital PINs, electronic payment systems, and the Remote Authoring and Moderation System (RAMS) to improve examination integrity.

9. Launch of the Bring-Your-Device (BYOD) initiative: Oloyede said the initiative was introduced to further modernise JAMB's operations.

10. Open financial reporting: JAMB institutionalised transparency by publishing its operational and financial activities through the weekly JAMB Bulletin.

11. Elimination of unofficial admissions: Oloyede said CAPS effectively eliminated "under-the-table" admissions by allowing candidates to monitor admission decisions transparently.

12. Stronger collaboration with security agencies: The Board strengthened partnerships with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Intelligence Agency (NIA), the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

13. Partnership with over 1,000 CBT centres: JAMB collaborated with 1,010 privately owned CBT centres to improve examination delivery nationwide.

14. Establishment of the Nigerian Educational Assessment Academy (NEAA): The Board partnered with 18 national agencies and institutions to establish the academy for professional assessment training.

15. Expansion of JAMB infrastructure: Oloyede said the Board established mega Professional Test and Registration Centres (PTCs/PRCs), expanded zonal offices, and acquired strategic properties across several states.

16. Improved national and international reputation: He said JAMB earned widespread recognition for transparency, accountability, technological innovation, and quality service delivery.

17. Enhanced stakeholder engagement: The Board strengthened collaboration with universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, examination bodies, regulators, civil society organisations, and the media.

18. Recognition of over 200 institutional achievements: Oloyede disclosed that education expert, Professor Peter Okebukola, documented more than 200 achievements recorded during his administration.

19. Restoration of confidence in admissions: He said the reforms drastically reduced examination malpractice, improved accountability, and restored public confidence in the credibility of UTME scores and the admissions process.

20. Institutional continuity: Oloyede expressed confidence that JAMB's systems, workforce, and culture of integrity would enable the new Registrar, Professor Segun Aina, to sustain and build on the reforms achieved over the past decade.

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The former JAMB Registrar, who assumed office in August 2016, thanked successive presidents, ministers of education, state governors, members of staff, and other stakeholders for supporting the Board throughout his tenure. He stressed that the successes recorded by JAMB were the product of teamwork rather than individual effort.

He also urged Nigerians to support the new Registrar as he assumes office.

"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."

Oloyede expressed confidence that Professor Aina's experience in information and communication technology, combined with the strong institutional foundation already laid, would help JAMB sustain its reforms and continue improving the nation's tertiary admissions system.

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