By Florence Joshua
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) on Friday honoured its outgoing Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, at a grand send-off ceremony in Abuja, celebrating a decade of transformational leadership that reshaped Nigeria’s tertiary admissions system through integrity, innovation and institutional reforms.
The ceremony which held at the Ladi Kwali Hall of the Abuja Continental Hotel, attracted top government officials, education stakeholders, heads of agencies, traditional rulers and members of the academic community, who paid glowing tributes to Prof. Oloyede’s remarkable contributions to the nation’s education sector.
In her welcome address, the Director of Special Duties, Mrs. Nnenna Ihuoma, described Prof. Oloyede as a man of integrity whose principled leadership and courage to make difficult decisions repositioned JAMB into one of Nigeria’s most transparent and efficient public institutions. She said his unwavering commitment to excellence, accountability and service had left an enduring legacy for the Board and the nation’s education sector.
A documentary chronicling Prof. Oloyede’s ten-year stewardship was screened during the event, showcasing the milestones recorded under his leadership. Among the achievements highlighted were the digital transformation of JAMB’s operations, the strengthening of the Computer-Based Testing (CBT) system, the introduction of the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS), improved examination security, enhanced transparency in the admissions process, and increased remittances to the Federal Government through prudent financial management.
The documentary also showcased JAMB’s intervention projects in tertiary institutions across the country. Through funds provided by the Board, universities, polytechnics and colleges executed critical infrastructure projects to improve teaching, learning and administration. Among the projects highlighted was the construction of a Crime Unit building at Kaduna Polytechnic, alongside several other facilities in beneficiary institutions.
A profile of the celebrant was presented during the ceremony, highlighting Prof. Oloyede’s distinguished career in academia and public service, as well as his decade of transformative leadership at JAMB. The presentation described him as a disciplined administrator whose commitment to integrity, transparency and institutional reforms restored public confidence in Nigeria’s tertiary admissions process.
Speaking at the event, the current Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Segun Aina, said witnessing the occasion and the seamless transition in leadership was encouraging. He noted that the grace, candour and professionalism with which Prof. Oloyede handed over the affairs of the Board reflected the strong institutional culture he had built over the past decade.
Among the dignitaries present were the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad; the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Mr. Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan; heads of agencies under the ministry, former vice-chancellors and other distinguished guests.
In his remarks, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, commended Prof. Oloyede for his outstanding service to Nigeria’s education sector. He described his ten-year tenure as one defined by integrity, transparency, innovation and purposeful leadership, adding that the reforms introduced under his watch had strengthened the credibility of JAMB and restored public confidence in the nation’s tertiary admissions system.
The high point of the ceremony was the presentation of gifts and awards by government agencies, educational institutions and organisations that had worked closely with Prof. Oloyede over the past ten years. The presentations were in recognition of his exceptional contributions to educational development and public service in Nigeria.
Prof. Oloyede leaves office widely regarded as one of the most impactful Registrars in JAMB’s history. His tenure is credited with modernising the Board through technology-driven reforms, improving examination integrity, institutionalising transparency in admissions, strengthening financial accountability, and supporting infrastructure development in tertiary institutions across the country, leaving a legacy that will shape Nigeria’s education sector for years to come.
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