Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Professor Segun Aina, a 40-year-old professor of computer engineering, has officially assumed office as the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), taking over from Professor Ishaq Oloyede, whose two-term tenure of 10 years ended on July 31, 2026. The formal handover ceremony took place on Friday, July 31, at 10:00 a.m. at JAMB’s headquarters in Bwari, Abuja, with proceedings streamed live across the board’s official social media platforms. President Bola Tinubu had appointed Aina on May 21, 2026, when he was 39 years old, making him the youngest person ever to serve as JAMB registrar.
In his inaugural address, Aina vowed to wage an uncompromising war against examination malpractice, warning fraud syndicates, impersonators, certificate forgers, and corrupt operators that their "business is in the wrong institution". He pledged to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s tertiary admission process by deploying every lawful technological, administrative, and investigative measure to detect, deter, and prosecute offenders. "To those who organise examination malpractice, recruit impersonators, forge credentials, compromise CBT centres, exploit desperate candidates and parents, engage in cybercrime, extortion, bribery or identity theft, hear me clearly: your business is in the wrong institution," he declared. Aina stressed that JAMB would deepen collaboration with security and law enforcement agencies while investing in stronger technologies and global best practices to stay ahead of fraudsters. "Every fraudulent admission secured through malpractice is a place stolen from an honest Nigerian," he said. "We shall do everything within the law to ensure that such theft does not succeed".
Aina, a professor of Computer Engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, brings a wealth of experience to the role. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Systems Engineering from the University of Kent, a Master’s degree in Internet Computing and Network Security, and a PhD in Digital Signal Processing from Loughborough University in the United Kingdom. He also completed the Senior Management Programme at Lagos Business School. With over 15 years of experience advising federal and state governments on digital transformation, institutional reforms, and systems design, he has also consulted for major examination bodies, including the National Examinations Council (NECO) and the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), particularly on ICT systems and examination integrity. His connection with JAMB dates back to his National Youth Service Corps year, during which he gained foundational experience in national admissions administration and data-driven processes.
Describing JAMB as far more than an examination body, Aina said it represents "the bridge between aspiration and opportunity" for millions of young Nigerians. He assured candidates and parents that his administration would work to reduce the stress, uncertainty, and anxiety associated with JAMB’s services by simplifying processes, improving communication, strengthening customer support, and modernising service delivery. "Behind every registration number is a young person with a dream. Behind every application is a family making sacrifices. Behind every admission is the hope for a better future. Very few public institutions are entrusted with something so precious, and that trust is our greatest responsibility," he stated. He also outlined plans to strengthen institutional systems rather than concentrate authority on individuals, insisting that enduring public institutions are built on values, accountability, and strong operational frameworks.
Outgoing Registrar Professor Ishaq Oloyede, who was first appointed in 2016 and reappointed for a second term in 2021, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve and urged staff and stakeholders to extend the same cooperation to his successor. Oloyede's tenure was marked by transformative reforms that restored public confidence in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), strengthened the credibility of the admissions process, and institutionalised technology-driven service delivery. Under his leadership, JAMB introduced numerous innovations that have become reference points for examination administration in Nigeria and earned the board widespread recognition. During the handover, Oloyede reaffirmed his belief that the institution would remain focused on transparency, accountability, and excellence in the nation's tertiary admissions process.
President Tinubu, who appointed Aina to succeed Oloyede, expressed confidence that the incoming registrar would consolidate on the reforms implemented under his predecessor while strengthening the board’s examination processes, digital infrastructure, and institutional efficiency. The Presidency described Aina as "a distinguished academic and systems expert with extensive experience in national examination systems, digital infrastructure, and public-sector institutional reform". At 40, Aina becomes the youngest registrar in JAMB's history, a milestone that reflects the administration's commitment to bringing fresh perspectives and technological expertise to one of Nigeria's most strategic educational institutions. As the new registrar prepares to lead JAMB into its next phase of growth, his appointment signals a continuation of the board's modernisation agenda, with a sharp focus on leveraging technology to combat fraud and improve service delivery for millions of Nigerian candidates.
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