Why I turned down UK residency to return to Nigeria — New JAMB registrar Aina
Segun Aina, the newly appointed Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has revealed that he declined the opportunity to settle permanently in the United Kingdom despite spending over a decade abroad for academic and professional pursuits.
Aina, a Professor of Computer Engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University, said his decision was driven by a desire to return to Nigeria and contribute to national development rather than establish a long-term life overseas.
Speaking in an interview with the Association of Campus Journalists at OAU, the academic explained that although he became eligible for permanent residency after several years in the UK, he intentionally chose not to pursue it.
“I deliberately did not pursue that because I did not want a way out. I wanted to ensure that I was fully committed to the prospect of building a successful career here,” he said in a report by Dailytrust.
Aina earned a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Systems Engineering from the University of Kent before proceeding to Loughborough University, where he obtained both a Master’s degree and a PhD in Digital Signal Processing.
According to him, his years abroad exposed him to more advanced and structured academic systems, but also strengthened his determination to return home and contribute to improving Nigeria’s education and technology sectors.
The professor described his decision as a personal sacrifice motivated by patriotism and belief in Nigeria’s potential.
“I am a patriot. I am hugely passionate about Nigeria as a project. I believe in the Nigerian dream,” he added.
Aina said his goal has always been to combine international experience with local realities to improve educational outcomes and institutional systems in the country.
