Oloyede leaves JAMB after 10 years, seeks support for new registrar
Outgoing Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, on Friday handed over the leadership of the examination body after 10 years in office, urging Nigerians to support his successor, Prof. Segun Aina, as he bows out.
Speaking during the handover ceremony at JAMB’s national headquarters in Bwari, Abuja, Oloyede described his tenure as a period of far-reaching reforms that strengthened the board through technology, transparency, staff welfare and institutional discipline.
He said the future of JAMB depended on continuity rather than individuals, urging stakeholders to rally behind the new registrar.
“There is no success without a successor. Support Professor Aina and pray for his success because his success will be the success of JAMB and Nigeria,” Oloyede said.
The outgoing registrar said his administration strengthened the Computer-Based Test system, introduced the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS), expanded biometric verification, improved digital payment systems and enhanced surveillance, reforms he said significantly reduced examination malpractice and restored confidence in the admission process.
Oloyede also highlighted improvements in staff welfare, saying JAMB committed more than N8 billion to retirement savings, introduced a 13th-month salary, increased examination duty allowances and provided retirement packages ranging from N3 million to N10 million. He added that the board maintained a strict disciplinary policy, with more than 10 staff prosecuted over alleged misconduct during his tenure.
He further disclosed that JAMB reduced the cost of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) forms by 30 per cent, expanded support for candidates living with disabilities and continued annual financial support to tertiary institutions through the National Tertiary Admissions Performance Merit (NATAPM) Awards.
While thanking President Bola Tinubu, former Presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Olusegun Obasanjo, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, and other stakeholders for supporting the board’s reforms, Oloyede acknowledged that his administration made mistakes and accepted responsibility for any shortcomings, expressing confidence that Aina would build on the achievements of the past decade.
