By George Ozalla
The new Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Segun Aina, has assumed office with a pledge to preserve the integrity of the nation’s tertiary admissions system, declaring that public trust in the Board will remain the cornerstone of his administration.
Aina made the commitment on Friday during the handover ceremony at the Board’s National Headquarters in Bwari, Abuja, where he formally took over from Professor Is-haq Oloyede, whose ten-year tenure was marked by sweeping reforms that repositioned JAMB and strengthened confidence in its operations.
Addressing management and staff, the new Registrar described his appointment as a privilege and a call to national service, assuring Nigerians that the standards that have earned the Board credibility over the years would not only be sustained but strengthened.
“We shall protect the integrity of JAMB. Integrity is not merely one of our values; it is the foundation upon which every other achievement rests. No amount of technology, innovation or efficiency can substitute for public trust,” he said.
Aina said JAMB occupies a strategic place in Nigeria’s education system because it serves as the gateway to tertiary education for millions of candidates every year, adding that the Board owes every applicant a process that is transparent, fair and credible.
He noted that while technology would continue to play a critical role in improving the Board’s operations, integrity would remain its greatest asset.
The Registrar warned that examination malpractice, impersonation, admission fraud, certificate forgery and other forms of misconduct would not be tolerated, stressing that the Board would continue to strengthen measures aimed at protecting the credibility of its examinations and admission process.
According to him, JAMB will deepen the deployment of technology and intelligence-driven systems to detect irregularities while working more closely with security agencies and other relevant institutions to tackle emerging threats to public examinations.
He maintained that every fraudulent admission unjustly deprives a deserving candidate of an opportunity, insisting that merit must remain the basis for admission into Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
Aina also promised to improve service delivery by making the Board more responsive to candidates, parents, tertiary institutions and other stakeholders.
He said efforts would be directed at simplifying processes, improving communication and ensuring that the public enjoys prompt and efficient services without compromising the integrity of the admission system.
The new Registrar urged members of staff to remain committed to professionalism, discipline and teamwork, noting that the continued success of JAMB depends on the dedication and collective efforts of its workforce.
He assured staff of an inclusive leadership style that encourages innovation, mutual respect and shared responsibility in achieving the Board’s mandate.
Aina expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the confidence reposed in him through his appointment and pledged to discharge his responsibilities with diligence, accountability and commitment to national development.
He also commended the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, for his support and paid glowing tribute to his predecessor, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, whom he credited with laying a solid foundation through reforms that transformed JAMB into one of Nigeria’s most respected public institutions.
The new Registrar acknowledged the achievements recorded during Oloyede’s tenure and assured stakeholders that his administration would build on those gains while introducing fresh ideas to meet emerging challenges in the education sector.
Reflecting on his personal journey, Aina recalled that he once served in JAMB as a National Youth Service Corps member, describing his return to head the institution as a rare privilege and a source of renewed commitment to public service.
Before his appointment, Aina was widely recognised for his contributions to technology-driven educational assessment and was among the professionals who played significant roles in the development and deployment of the Computer-Based Test system that has become the hallmark of JAMB examinations.
His appointment has been welcomed by many education stakeholders who believe his experience in educational technology and examination administration will help consolidate the reforms already introduced by the Board.
With the formal transfer of leadership, attention is expected to shift to how the new Registrar will sustain the credibility of the admission process, strengthen public confidence and address emerging challenges associated with technology, examination security and service delivery.
As he settles into office, stakeholders say the task before him will be to preserve the legacy of transparency built over the past decade while ensuring that JAMB continues to deliver fair, efficient and credible admission services to millions of Nigerians seeking higher education.
