In Nigeria’s educational landscape, few names resonate with as much respect and admiration as that of Professor Ishaq Oloyede Olarenwaju, the current Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). A distinguished scholar and an Emeritus Professor, Oloyede has earned national and international recognition not only for his academic prowess but also for his unwavering dedication to educational reform and student welfare.
His recent handling of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) is a case in point. Following a technical error that affected thousands of candidates during the just-concluded UTME, Professor Oloyede’s response was swift, empathetic, and student-focused. Rather than issuing mere statements, he took prompt and practical action — ordering a rescheduling of the affected examinations across the states. This act of leadership was not only timely but also reassuring to thousands of families and stakeholders in the education sector.
Known for his charismatic leadership style, Oloyede brings a unique blend of professionalism and compassion to his role. His commitment to “unbundling” systemic challenges in JAMB operations has made the Board more transparent, responsive, and technology-driven. Under his tenure, JAMB has achieved milestones in efficiency, security, and credibility, earning the trust of stakeholders nationwide.
During a recent visit to the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), where candidates with visual impairments sat for the UTME, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, the Minister of State for Education, commended Oloyede’s high standards and inclusive policies. She described him as a man whose discipline and integrity reflect the very best of what academia should represent.
It is rare to find a public official whose decisions are so deeply rooted in empathy and justice. Professor Oloyede continues to be a worthy model of excellence, not only for his colleagues in academia but also for future leaders in public service.
With his unwavering ideals and visionary approach, Professor Ishaq Oloyede stands tall as a reformer, a scholar, and a guardian of the Nigerian student’s hope. His legacy at JAMB will be remembered as a time when integrity met innovation, and students were placed at the very heart of policy decisions.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.
