By George Ozalla
The newly appointed Registrar and Chief Executive of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Segun Aina, has unveiled a comprehensive five-year strategic development agenda aimed at repositioning the examination body as a more transparent, technology-driven and globally competitive institution while reducing the challenges associated with tertiary admissions in Nigeria.
Professor Aina presented the roadmap shortly after formally assuming office, describing the agenda as a practical framework that will guide the Board’s operations from 2026 to 2031. He said the vision is to strengthen public confidence in JAMB, improve the experience of candidates and other stakeholders, and build on the achievements recorded by the Board over the years.
The strategic plan, which is built around the theme “Building Trust, Reducing Trauma,” seeks to deepen digital transformation, strengthen institutional governance, improve service delivery and enhance collaboration with stakeholders in the nation’s education sector.
According to the Registrar, the five-year programme is anchored on two strategic objectives, five core pillars and seven flagship initiatives designed to improve efficiency, promote accountability and sustain the credibility of the Board’s examinations and admissions processes.
He explained that the two broad objectives are to reinforce public trust in JAMB’s operations and significantly reduce the stress, delays and difficulties often experienced by candidates during registration, examinations and admission processes.
The five pillars of the reform agenda focus on integrity, quality service delivery, sound institutional governance, technology-driven innovation and strategic partnerships. Aina noted that these pillars will provide the foundation for all policies and programmes to be implemented during his tenure.
Among the initiatives outlined are the expansion of digital services, introduction of more paperless operations, deployment of improved online platforms, enhanced cybersecurity architecture, stronger data protection systems, more efficient communication channels and increased collaboration with tertiary institutions, regulatory agencies and technology partners.
He said the Board would continue to leverage technology to simplify its processes, improve operational efficiency and eliminate unnecessary bottlenecks that create anxiety for candidates and their families.
Professor Aina stressed that every candidate who registers for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) deserves a process that is transparent, fair, secure and efficient, adding that JAMB has a responsibility to ensure that every stage of the admissions process reflects professionalism and integrity.
He assured staff of the Board that his administration would consolidate existing reforms rather than embark on unnecessary policy reversals, maintaining that institutional growth is better achieved through continuity, innovation and continuous improvement.
The Registrar also pledged to invest in staff development, strengthen internal systems, promote ethical standards and foster teamwork across departments to improve productivity and service delivery.
He noted that stakeholder engagement would receive greater attention under his leadership, with regular consultations involving tertiary institutions, government agencies, professional bodies, parents and candidates to ensure that the Board remains responsive to emerging challenges within the education sector.
Aina said his vision is to position JAMB as Africa’s leading assessment and admissions institution by embracing global best practices, expanding the deployment of digital solutions and sustaining the credibility for which the Board has become known.
He added that the success of the five-year agenda would depend on the collective commitment of members of staff and stakeholders to uphold the values of integrity, transparency and accountability in the administration of the nation’s tertiary admissions system.
Before his appointment, Professor Aina had built a career in the university system as an academic and administrator, serving in several capacities that exposed him to education policy, institutional management and quality assurance. His appointment followed the completion of the tenure of Professor Is-haq Oloyede, under whom JAMB witnessed major reforms in its examination and admissions processes. With the unveiling of the five-year strategic agenda, stakeholders will be watching how the new Registrar translates the policy framework into measurable improvements in service delivery and the overall administration of the Board.
