Prof. Is-haq Oloyede: A profile in forthrightness, a legacy of transformation – Dr. Muiz Banire

On September 9, 2021, I wrote a piece about Professor Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede and titled it: “Prof. Is-haq: A Profile in Forthrightness.(https://www.sunnewsonline.com/prof-is-haq-oloyede-profile-in-forthrightness/)”. That title was not chosen casually. It was a deliberate attempt to capture the character, disposition and leadership philosophy of a man whose approach to public service had become a subject of admiration, discussion and, in some quarters, debate. At the time, Professor Oloyede was still deeply engaged in the demanding assignment of leading the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), an institution that occupies one of the most sensitive positions in Nigeria’s education sector. JAMB is not simply an examination body. It is a national gateway through which millions of young Nigerians seek admissions into universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.

The decisions taken within its walls affect the dreams, aspirations and futures of countless Nigerian families. To lead such an institution requires more than administrative skill. It requires courage. It requires integrity. It requires the ability to make decisions that serve the larger interest even when those decisions may not always attract immediate applause or even appreciated at all by the beneficiaries. Ours is a society where altruistic public service is rarely appreciated by a populace divided by several mundane factors. Notwithstanding, Professor Oloyede brought to that assignment a reputation built over decades of scholarship, administration and public service. He came with the image of an individual who believed that institutions could only command respect when they were built on transparency, discipline and accountability. My assessment of him in 2021 was that of a leader who possessed the courage of his convictions. He was not known as a person who avoided difficult conversations or compromised standards merely to gain popularity. His leadership style was direct, sometimes firm, but always driven by the conviction that public institutions must operate in a manner that earns the confidence of the people they serve.

Years later, as he exits that office, it is appropriate to look back at that assessment and examine whether the description truly reflected the journey that followed. The answer, in my view, is a resounding affirmation. Leadership is ultimately judged by outcomes. Words, intentions and promises may introduce a leader, but achievements, challenges overcome and institutions strengthened are what define a legacy. Professor Oloyede inherited the responsibility of leading JAMB at a time when public confidence in many government institutions was under serious pressure. Nigerians had become accustomed to stories of inefficiency, irregularities and administrative shortcomings in various sectors. The expectation was therefore high that any meaningful leader of JAMB would have to do more than maintain the existing structure.

The leader would have to transform the institution. Transformation, however, is never an easy assignment. Those who attempt to change systems often encounter resistance. Reform disturbs established habits. It challenges old practices. It requires people to accept new ways of doing things. For that reason, every reformer must be prepared for criticism because change, even when necessary, rarely comes without discomfort. Professor Oloyede understood this reality. Under his leadership, JAMB witnessed significant reforms that changed the perception of the institution. Technology became central to the examination process, reducing opportunities for manipulation and strengthening the credibility of the system. Administrative processes were improved. Greater emphasis was placed on efficiency, transparency and responsible management of resources. Perhaps one of the most important achievements of his administration was the restoration of confidence. Institutions survive on trust. When citizens believe that a system is fair and credible, they participate in it with confidence. When that trust is lost, even well-designed processes become vulnerable to suspicion. Professor Oloyede recognised that his responsibility was not merely to conduct examinations but to protect the dreams of millions of Nigerian youths who looked to JAMB as a pathway to higher education.

Every candidate who sits for a JAMB examination represents a personal ambition, a family hope and a national investment. Behind every registration number is a human story. A leader of such an institution must therefore understand both the administrative and emotional dimensions of the assignment. This understanding informed many of the reforms introduced during his tenure. The improved efficiency of the institution, the stronger application of technology, the emphasis on accountability and the efforts to reduce examination malpractice all contributed to a new perception of JAMB as an organisation capable of delivering results. However, no leadership journey is without difficult moments. A balanced assessment of any administration must recognise both achievements and challenges. The purpose of celebrating a leader is not to pretend that difficulties never occurred.

Rather, it is to examine how those difficulties were handled and what lessons emerged from them. During Professor Oloyede’s tenure, there was an unfortunate technical challenge that affected the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) conducted by JAMB. The incident understandably generated concerns among candidates, parents and stakeholders. Given the importance of the examination, public reaction was inevitable. At that moment, I also had cause to comment on the development. (See my published article in The Sun Newspaper May 22, 2025, “Exam Glitch: My Take on JAMB and Prof. Ishaq Oloyede.” https://thesun.ng/exam-glitch-my-take-on-jamb-and-prof-ishaq-oloyede ). What did the erudite leader do when confronted with that challenge?

Despite the fact that some of his staff were glaringly responsible for the glitch, he took responsibility, investigated and effected remedy. That comment was consistent with the same principle that guided my earlier article. Genuine support for leadership does not mean silence in the face of challenges. Constructive criticism is not an act of hostility. It is part of the responsibility of citizens who desire better institutions. A leader who deserves commendation must also be one who understands the value of accountability. The incident became another test of leadership. It tested not only the systems in place but also the attitude of those responsible for managing them. What distinguished Professor Oloyede was the willingness to confront the situation rather than allow it to become an excuse for denial or blame-shifting. The focus remained on identifying solutions, improving processes and ensuring that similar challenges would be better managed in the future.That response reflected an important truth about leadership: mistakes may occur, but responsibility determines the quality of leadership. No institution is perfect because institutions are managed by human beings. The measure of a leader is not the unrealistic expectation of perfection but the ability to respond to shortcomings with honesty, wisdom and determination.By that standard, Professor Oloyede’s tenure demonstrated resilience.

As he leaves office today, the question before history is not whether there were moments of difficulty. Every meaningful administration has them. The question is whether he left JAMB better than he found it. On this point, the evidence speaks clearly. He leaves behind an institution that has undergone significant transformation. He leaves behind systems that have been strengthened, processes that have been improved and a culture of accountability that has become more deeply rooted. His sadness on the moral decadence that described parents’ assisting their wards in examination malpractices was earthshaking. Also, before his administration was an organization in which corruption stood taller than any building in Nigeria. It was Oloyede that revealed the truth that JAMB was making billions of Naira contrary to the previous posture of being a body living on government subvention and contributing nothing to the national purse. The greatest achievement of any leader is not personal recognition. It is institutional sustainability. A leader who builds only a personal reputation leaves behind little beyond memories. But a leader who builds institutions leaves behind a foundation upon which others can continue to build.This is the essence of Professor Oloyede’s contribution. He did not approach JAMB merely as an office to occupy. He approached it as an institution to strengthen.

That distinction is important. Nigeria has often struggled because many public institutions depend too heavily on the personalities leading them at particular moments. When such individuals leave, the structures they created sometimes collapse because they were built around personalities rather than systems. Professor Oloyede’s emphasis on systems, procedures and standards represents a different approach. It is an approach that recognises that the true success of leadership is measured by what survives after the leader has departed. Beyond JAMB, his career represents a broader lesson about public service. His journey demonstrates that competence and integrity can coexist. It shows that public office can still be approached as a responsibility rather than merely an opportunity for influence. In a society where public officials are often viewed with suspicion, examples of disciplined and principled leadership deserve recognition.

This does not mean that leaders should be protected from criticism. Indeed, strong institutions require criticism. But criticism must be balanced with fairness. A society that refuses to acknowledge achievement risks discouraging those who genuinely seek to serve. Professor Oloyede’s tenure should therefore be assessed within the full context of leadership: the achievements, the challenges, the reforms and the enduring impact.Looking back at my 2021 article, I find that the central message remains valid. The quality I identified then, forthrightness, continued to define his approach.Forthrightness is not merely the ability to speak boldly. It is the courage to stand by principles. It is the willingness to make difficult decisions. It is the discipline to remain focused even when criticism comes. Those qualities were visible throughout his years of service. As he bows out of office, he does so with the satisfaction of completing a demanding national assignment. He leaves with the knowledge that his stewardship contributed to strengthening one of Nigeria’s most important public institutions.

The future will continue to examine and evaluate his tenure. Time has a way of separating temporary controversies from lasting contributions. But the foundation established during his years at JAMB will remain part of the conversation about institutional reform in Nigeria. For those of us who observed his journey, wrote about it, applauded its successes and offered comments when challenges emerged, this moment represents an opportunity for a fair and balanced tribute. Leadership deserves honesty. Praise should be given when it is earned. Criticism should be offered when it is necessary. Both are essential ingredients of a healthy society. Professor Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede’s story is therefore not the story of a man who faced no challenges. It is the story of a man who accepted responsibility, pursued reform and remained committed to his vision. The office may have ended, but the impact remains. The title of that 2021 article now carries even greater meaning: Professor Is-haq Oloyede remains a profile in forthrightness. May Almighty Allah grant him continued good health, wisdom and greater opportunities to serve humanity.His tenure in JAMB has ended as he stepped out of service on Friday 31st August, 2026. His legacy of forthrightness has begun.