The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is set to witness a historic leadership transition on Friday, July 31, as Professor Ishaq Oloyede formally hands over the reins to Professor Segun Aina, the youngest registrar in the board's history. The handover ceremony, scheduled to begin at 10 a.m., will be broadcast live across JAMB's official social media platforms, allowing the public to witness the transfer of power.
JAMB announced the event via its X (formerly Twitter) account, inviting stakeholders to follow the proceedings. The post read: "Join us for the live broadcast of the official handover ceremony as Prof. Is-haq Oloyede... formally hands over to Prof. Segun Aina." This marks the culmination of Oloyede's tenure and the commencement of Aina's leadership of Nigeria's foremost examination body.
Profile of Incoming Registrar Professor Segun Aina
President Bola Tinubu approved Aina's appointment to succeed Oloyede, citing his extensive background in digital infrastructure and examination systems. Aina is a Professor of Computer Engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, with specialized expertise in digital transformation, national examination systems, and institutional reforms. According to the Presidency, Aina has spent more than 15 years advising federal and state governments on digital systems design and reform initiatives.
Aina's appointment comes at a critical time for JAMB, which oversees the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) for millions of Nigerian students annually. His experience includes working with other examination bodies such as the National Examinations Council (NECO) and the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) on ICT systems and examination integrity.
Aina's Academic and Professional Journey
Professor Aina earned his Bachelor's degree in Computer Systems Engineering from the University of Kent in the United Kingdom. He subsequently obtained a Master's degree in Internet Computing and Network Security, followed by a PhD in Digital Signal Processing from Loughborough University. To further hone his leadership skills, he completed the Senior Management Programme at Lagos Business School.
The Presidency highlighted Aina's decade-and-a-half of consultancy work for various government agencies, focusing on digital transformation and systems architecture. His technical background is expected to drive innovation in JAMB's operations, particularly in areas of exam security and data management.
Commitment to Nigeria: Why Aina Chose to Return
In previous remarks, Aina disclosed that he deliberately declined an offer of permanent residency in the United Kingdom after spending about 11 years abroad. He stated that his decision was rooted in a desire to build his career and contribute to Nigeria's development. "I wanted to dedicate my expertise to my home country," Aina explained, emphasizing that he avoided keeping any pathway to remain in Britain. This commitment to Nigeria's long-term future aligns with his new role at the helm of JAMB.
As the handover approaches, education stakeholders are optimistic about the continuity of reforms initiated under Oloyede's leadership. The handover ceremony on Friday will not only mark an end of an era but also signal a new chapter for Nigeria's examination board, with Aina poised to leverage his digital expertise to enhance the integrity and efficiency of the system.
