The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, alongside leading figures in Nigeria’s education sector, has hailed the immediate past Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, for implementing reforms that transformed the examination body over the past decade.
The commendations came during a reception in Abuja following Oloyede’s formal handover to the new JAMB Registrar, Prof. Segun Aina, after the completion of his tenure.
Among those in attendance were the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad; former Minister of Education, Prof. Chinwe Obaji; Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Arc. Sonny Echono; Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Egbewole (SAN); vice-chancellors, lawmakers, heads of tertiary institutions and members of JAMB’s management.
Speaking at the event, Alausa described Oloyede’s administration as a defining period in JAMB’s history, noting that his reforms strengthened transparency, accountability and public confidence in Nigeria’s tertiary admissions system.
He said the former registrar demonstrated that public institutions can operate efficiently when guided by integrity, innovation and strong leadership.
According to the minister, Oloyede’s emphasis on due process, financial discipline and technology-driven reforms significantly enhanced the credibility of the board and restored trust in its operations.
The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Ahmad, also praised Oloyede’s contributions, saying his leadership modernised JAMB through digital innovation, improved service delivery and reduced examination malpractice.
She described the board under his leadership as one of Africa’s most credible and technologically advanced examination bodies.
Former Education Minister, Prof. Chinwe Obaji, commended Oloyede for transforming JAMB into a globally respected institution through institutional reforms and effective public sector leadership.
Similarly, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Egbewole, credited Oloyede with introducing reforms that strengthened both the university and JAMB, describing him as a public servant whose legacy would endure for generations.
Stakeholders at the event also highlighted JAMB’s financial performance under Oloyede, noting that the board reportedly remitted more than ₦50 billion to the Federal Government during his 10-year tenure, including over ₦7 billion in a single year, a sharp increase from previous administrations.
Oloyede, who assumed office in 2016, was widely credited with introducing technology-driven reforms that improved the transparency, efficiency and credibility of Nigeria’s tertiary admissions process.
His successor, Prof. Segun Aina, now assumes leadership of the examination body with expectations to consolidate on the reforms and continue strengthening the integrity of the nation’s admissions system.
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