{"id":23210,"date":"2026-08-04T06:19:13","date_gmt":"2026-08-04T06:19:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thenewsnow.org\/?p=23210"},"modified":"2026-08-04T06:25:40","modified_gmt":"2026-08-04T06:25:40","slug":"jamb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thenewsnow.org\/index.php\/2026\/08\/04\/jamb\/","title":{"rendered":"Address Delivered by the Outgoing Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede, CON, FNAL, FNIM, at the Handover Ceremony to the new Registrar, Prof. Segun Aina"},"content":{"rendered":"

HISTORY MADE, FUTURE BECKONS<\/span><\/p>\n

Address <\/span><\/span>Delivered <\/span><\/span>by the <\/span><\/span>Outgoing <\/span><\/span>Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede, CON, FNAL, <\/span><\/span>FNIM, <\/span><\/span>at the <\/span><\/span>Handover Ceremony to the new Registrar, Prof. <\/span><\/span>Segun<\/span><\/span> Aina<\/span><\/span>, at<\/span><\/span>the <\/span><\/span>National Headquarters<\/span><\/span> of JAMB<\/span><\/span>, Bwari, Abuja, on <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Fri<\/span><\/span>day, <\/span><\/span>July<\/span><\/span> 31<\/span><\/span>, 202<\/span><\/span>6<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a>HISTORY MADE, FUTURE BECKONS<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Courtesies<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

My <\/span><\/span>Gratitude<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

It is with a profound sense of gratitude to the Almighty Allah and immense appreciation to all people of goodwill that I address this distinguished audience<\/span><\/span> today<\/span><\/span>. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

First and foremost, I return all glory to Almighty Allah, whose boundless mercy, wisdom and grace sustained me throughout these remarkable ten years. Through periods of daunting challenges, difficult policy decisions and far-reaching institutional reforms, His guidance remained my greatest source of strength. Whatever accomplishments have been recorded during this period are not mine alone; they are manifestations of His infinite favour and blessings.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

While I am grateful to Allah for the grace of life, health and wisdom to steer the ship of this important agency, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), I must acknowledge that what we have done in the past ten years is the result of many people working together for a common purpose. I had no illusion <\/span><\/span>right from the outset <\/span><\/span>that I would depend <\/span><\/span>on<\/span><\/span> God\u2019s guidance and people\u2019s support<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span> and this informed <\/span><\/span>why my inaugural address when I took <\/span><\/span>over <\/span><\/span>the <\/span><\/span>mantle of leadership on August 9<\/span><\/span>, 2016<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span> was \u201cLet\u2019s do it together\u2026<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span> I will make reference <\/span><\/span>to the address later<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span> as it is the template on which history is anchored.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Doing it together means that many <\/span><\/span>colours<\/span><\/span>make a rainbow and many flowers make a garden. <\/span><\/span>Therefore, <\/span><\/span>I express my gratitude to the former President Muhammadu Buhari,<\/span><\/span>GCFR,<\/span><\/span> who first appointed me following the recommendation of the former Minister of Education, <\/span><\/span>Mallam<\/span><\/span> Adamu<\/span><\/span> Adamu<\/span><\/span>, CON<\/span><\/span>. I am also grateful to former President Olusegun Obasanjo<\/span><\/span>, GCFR,<\/span><\/span> who <\/span><\/span>earlier <\/span><\/span>nominated or proposed <\/span><\/span>me <\/span><\/span>for a high position in government<\/span><\/span> at a time <\/span><\/span>when<\/span><\/span> serving in government was not in my wildest dream<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span>having served just a few years earlier as Vice Chancellor <\/span><\/span>of the University of Ilorin, where I had the opportunity of leading not only <\/span><\/span>the <\/span><\/span>Vice Chancellors in Nigeria but <\/span><\/span>also across Africa. My plan at the time was just to focus on family life and <\/span><\/span>play my role within the nation\u2019s religious establishment.<\/span><\/span> Alas, this was not to be, as <\/span><\/span>Mallam<\/span><\/span> Adamu<\/span><\/span> Adamu<\/span><\/span>informed me that nobody rejects what is already concluded by the President of Nigeria.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I am indebted to <\/span><\/span>the <\/span><\/span>President<\/span><\/span>, Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, His Excellency,<\/span><\/span> Asiwaju<\/span><\/span> Bola<\/span><\/span>nle<\/span><\/span> Ahmed <\/span><\/span>Adekunle<\/span><\/span>Tinubu<\/span><\/span>, GCFR,<\/span><\/span> for his confidence in me<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span> and I acknowledge my Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, <\/span><\/span>CON, <\/span><\/span>for his unalloyed cooperation, just as I appreciate his predecessor, Prof. Tahir <\/span><\/span>Mamman<\/span><\/span>, SAN.<\/span><\/span> In the same vein, I extend my deep appreciation to the <\/span><\/span>Honourable<\/span><\/span> Minister of State, Prof. <\/span><\/span>Suwaiba<\/span><\/span> Said Ahmad, as well as the Permanent Secretary, <\/span><\/span>Mr<\/span><\/span> Abel <\/span><\/span>Olumuyiwa<\/span><\/span>Enitan<\/span><\/span>. I sincerely thank the successive Permanent Secretaries of the ministry, particularly my brother, friend, benefactor and confidant, Arc. Dr. Sonny <\/span><\/span>Echono<\/span><\/span>. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I am fortunate to have enjoyed the cooperation, love and support of many former and serving Governors. The list is long but t<\/span><\/span>he world is aware of the extraordinary<\/span><\/span> support of the former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, that led to our mega <\/span><\/span>PCT\/PRC and the proposed Direct-Entry Guest House<\/span><\/span>in Kaduna. The newly commissioned <\/span><\/span>M<\/span><\/span>ega <\/span><\/span>P<\/span><\/span>rofessional <\/span><\/span>Test\/<\/span><\/span>Registration Centre<\/span><\/span> and ultramodern North-East zonal office complex, <\/span><\/span>built <\/span><\/span>and donated <\/span><\/span>by the Governor of <\/span><\/span>Borno<\/span><\/span>State, Prof. <\/span><\/span>Babagana<\/span><\/span> Zulum<\/span><\/span>, who also<\/span><\/span> named <\/span><\/span>the complex after me, is<\/span><\/span> a proof of support and I am most grateful for the <\/span><\/span>honour<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span> Thank you, once again, Your Excellency, Prof. <\/span><\/span>Zulum<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In thanking His Excellency, Governor <\/span><\/span>Nyeson<\/span><\/span>Wike<\/span><\/span>, <\/span><\/span>CON, <\/span><\/span>who, as Governor of Rivers State, provided<\/span><\/span> for the Board<\/span><\/span>, within 24 hours of my distress call, two vehicles, <\/span><\/span>a <\/span><\/span>tastefully furnished multi-story office complex<\/span><\/span> and a priz<\/span><\/span>ed plot of land in Port Harcourt, I must not forget the critical facilitating role of my brother, <\/span><\/span>Mr<\/span><\/span> Tosin<\/span><\/span> Ajayi<\/span><\/span>, who by God\u2019s grace is now the Director General of State Services.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

To His Excellency, <\/span><\/span>Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola<\/span><\/span>, CON, SAN<\/span><\/span> (<\/span><\/span>Now Shehu of Lagos<\/span><\/span>)<\/span><\/span>, <\/span><\/span>Former Governor of Lagos State<\/span><\/span>, who, as Minister of Works and Housing, f<\/span><\/span>acilitat<\/span><\/span>ed<\/span><\/span>the <\/span><\/span>issuance of <\/span><\/span>CofO of JAMB\u2019s Ikoyi <\/span><\/span>land, which would soon produce 15 Professional Test and Registration Centers across the nation<\/span><\/span>, JAMB says thank you.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

We thank His Excellency, <\/span><\/span>Senator Ibikunle Amosun, <\/span><\/span>FCA, CON<\/span><\/span>, <\/span><\/span>Former Governor<\/span><\/span> of<\/span><\/span>Ogun State<\/span><\/span>, for the g<\/span><\/span>enerous allocation o<\/span><\/span>f a strategic parcel of land<\/span><\/span>, incorporating<\/span><\/span> a billion-naira<\/span><\/span> 10-story complex<\/span><\/span>–<\/span><\/span>foundation at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, to the Board for the development of<\/span><\/span> the planned<\/span><\/span> world-class <\/span><\/span>South-West<\/span><\/span> Mega <\/span><\/span>Professional Test\/ Registration<\/span><\/span> Centre<\/span><\/span>. His personal interest in the project, exemplified by his participation in the foundation-laying ceremony of th<\/span><\/span>e current Duplex JAMB <\/span><\/span>PTC\/PRC<\/span><\/span>, at the same <\/span><\/span>site, i<\/span><\/span>s<\/span><\/span> commendable.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Equally appreciated is His Excellency, <\/span><\/span>Prince Dapo Abiodun<\/span><\/span>, CON, the Executive <\/span><\/span>Governor of Ogun State<\/span><\/span> for r<\/span><\/span>escind<\/span><\/span>ing<\/span><\/span> the earlier threat of <\/span><\/span>excising<\/span><\/span> the <\/span><\/span>developed project<\/span><\/span> from the issued <\/span><\/span>CofO<\/span><\/span> in <\/span><\/span>favour<\/span><\/span> of the Board <\/span><\/span>and <\/span><\/span>restor<\/span><\/span>ing<\/span><\/span> JAMB\u2019s unfettered access to the <\/span><\/span>whole plot<\/span><\/span> for the construction of the proposed Mega <\/span><\/span>PCT\/PRC<\/span><\/span> Complex<\/span><\/span>. He has not only removed the embargo but also unequivocally<\/span><\/span> indemnif<\/span><\/span>ied<\/span><\/span> the Board against all agencies of the state, thereby clearing the coast for the take-off of the dela<\/span><\/span>yed south-west mega PTC complex<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

His Excellency, <\/span><\/span>Mr. Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki<\/span><\/span>, <\/span><\/span>Former Governor, Edo State<\/span><\/span>, made an impact by his swift relocation of the JAMB site from a dungeon to a befitting site on which the magnificent PTC\/PRC and Benin Zonal Office is now standing. He was personally involved in the planning and execution of the project.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Similarly, <\/span><\/span>Distinguished Senator Rochas Anayo Okorocha, <\/span><\/span>OON<\/span><\/span>, <\/span><\/span>Former Governor<\/span><\/span> of<\/span><\/span>Imo State<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span> is also a significant benefactor for allocating a befitting land and issuing the <\/span><\/span>CofO<\/span><\/span> on the very day. The JAMB <\/span><\/span>Owerri<\/span><\/span> zonal office\/ mega PTC\/PRC is a testament to his invaluable support, which included the donation of a vehicle to the Board.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

To His Excellency, <\/span><\/span>Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, <\/span><\/span>CON<\/span><\/span>, <\/span><\/span>Governor of Lagos State<\/span><\/span>, we are grateful for the hospitality accorded me and the team on our begging visit to Lagos State. He provided all the requested <\/span><\/span>land in four different parts of the state for the development of PTC\/PRCs that are about to take off.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

We are most grateful Their<\/span><\/span> Excellenc<\/span><\/span>ies<\/span><\/span>, <\/span><\/span>Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, <\/span><\/span>CON<\/span><\/span>, <\/span><\/span>Governor of Kwara State<\/span><\/span> and <\/span><\/span>Douye<\/span><\/span> Diri<\/span><\/span> of <\/span><\/span>Bayelsa<\/span><\/span> State<\/span><\/span>, fo<\/span><\/span>r making it possible for the Board to have its state facilities in one spot<\/span><\/span> in<\/span><\/span>both Ilorin and <\/span><\/span>Yenagoa<\/span><\/span>, by relocating of the immediate <\/span><\/span>neighbours<\/span><\/span> of the JAMB offices in both states.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

All these are just representatives of the cooperation received from governors across the country.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I would also like to express my profound appreciation to <\/span><\/span>Ahmad <\/span><\/span>Raji<\/span><\/span>, SAN<\/span><\/span>, whose remarkable generosity culminated in the donation of a fully equipped Professional Test Centre (PTC) in <\/span><\/span>Iseyin<\/span><\/span>. His unwavering commitment to expanding access to quality educational infrastructure and his enduring support for the Board’s vision are deeply appreciated. Such patriotic interventions demonstrate how private citizens can make lasting contributions to national development through education.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Similarly, <\/span><\/span>Dr.<\/span><\/span> Abdul-Rauf <\/span><\/span>Adekunle<\/span><\/span> Wale <\/span><\/span>Babalakin<\/span><\/span>, SAN, OFR<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span> deserves our heartfelt accolades for his many strategic interventions and unwavering support over the years. Worthy of special mention is his magnanimity in granting the Board, free of charge, the use of the ultra-spacious and elegant <\/span><\/span>Bola <\/span><\/span>Babalakin<\/span><\/span> Hall, <\/span><\/span>Gbongan<\/span><\/span>, for the hosting of our Annual Policy Meetings on several occasions. His consistent generosity and belief in the Board’s mission have greatly facilitated some of our most important national engagements, and for this, we remain profoundly grateful.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The story of JAMB is that of continuous progress and i<\/span><\/span>t is in this light that I duly acknowledge the contributions, work and worth of the past Registrar<\/span><\/span>s, <\/span><\/span>Mr<\/span><\/span> Michael S. <\/span><\/span>Angulu<\/span><\/span> (1977<\/span><\/span>-1986)<\/span><\/span>;<\/span><\/span> Dr<\/span><\/span> Mohammed S. <\/span><\/span>Abdulrahman<\/span><\/span> (1986-1996)<\/span><\/span>;<\/span><\/span> Prof. Bello Ahmed Salim (1996-2006<\/span><\/span>)<\/span><\/span>;<\/span><\/span> and my immediate predecessor, Prof. <\/span><\/span>Adedibu<\/span><\/span>Ojerinde<\/span><\/span>, OFR<\/span><\/span> (2007-2016). Without the solid foundation they laid, the trajectory of the Board would have been different<\/span><\/span> and history would not have been made<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

My sincere appreciation also goes to past Chairmen and Members of the Governing Board, whose wise counsel, strategic direction and commitment to sound corporate governance greatly enriched the administration of the Board. Their collective wisdom and support contributed immensely to the institutional stability and remarkable progress recorded during my tenure.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

To the Directors, Heads of Units, Zonal Directors, State Coordinators and every member of staff of JAMB,<\/span><\/span> both serving and retired since I assumed office, <\/span><\/span>I remain profoundly grateful. <\/span><\/span>Similarly, the constructive engagement of the two staff unions; Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSON) greatly contributed to meeting our targets. <\/span><\/span>The successes recorded over the past decade are products of our collective vision, shared sacrifices and unwavering commitment to excellence. Your professionalism, resilience, discipline and readiness to embrace innovation transformed JAMB into an institution that today enjoys widespread national and international recognition for transparency, accountability, technological innovation and service delivery. I am privileged to have worked with such an exceptional team.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Though the exigencies of work would make one to be firm, the unassailable truth is that most of the JAMB staff are competent and committed Nigerians and I sincerely appreciate them for their work. \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I recall that a former Minister of Education once invited me as Vice Chancellor, to ask about what I was doing about some bad elements at the University of Ilorin. I told the Minister that a dynamic <\/span><\/span>organisation<\/span><\/span> would contain the good, the bad and the ugly and that it is perfect for everyone within the University not to face the same direction. By the time I mentioned about five known professors, who happened to be among the seven on the Minister\u2019s list, it was a bout of laughter and the matter ended there. Even if we have less than 50 individuals across board in JAMB who opt to face a different direction, out of 1,837 staff, the fact remains that JAMB is fantastic. <\/span><\/span>Afterall<\/span><\/span>, it is expected that we have a Judas out of every twelve people. I appreciate all the staff and I cherish your cooperation and service. I <\/span><\/span>seldom say it in order to keep you on your toes but I now say it loud: thank you very much. \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I equally acknowledge the invaluable support of our numerous stakeholders and partners, including State Governments; Federal Ministry of Education; the National Universities Commission; the National Board for Technical Education; the National Commission for Colleges of Education; tertiary institutions; West African Examination Council (WAEC), National Examination Council (NECO), National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS), Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board (JUPEB) and Interim Joint Matriculation Board (IJMB); security agencies; professiona<\/span><\/span>l bodies; <\/span><\/span>service providers; the media; civil society organisations; and all others whose collaboration has been instrumental in advancing the Board’s statutory mandate. Their confidence, constructive engagement and shared commitment to national development have been invaluable.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

To the millions of candidates, parents and guardians whom the Board exists to serve, I express my heartfelt appreciation for their trust, understanding and constructive feedback over the years. Their expectations continually challenged us to improve our systems and services, while reinforcing our determination to uphold the principles of fairness, equity and transparency.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

As I reflect on this remarkable journey, I do so with immense gratitude rather than a sense of accomplishment. While I believe that, together, we have laid a solid foundation for a more transparent, efficient and globally respected admissions system, I remain conscious that institutional development is a continuous process. Whatever has been achieved represents only a platform upon which future administrations can build.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Beyond the staff <\/span><\/span>and institutional partners <\/span><\/span>are different categor<\/span><\/span>ies of distinguished Nigerians who complemented our staff and supported our innovative frameworks to ensure success, guarantee service delivery, troubleshoot challenges and enforce compliance across the <\/span><\/span>country before and during <\/span><\/span>our <\/span><\/span>U<\/span><\/span>nified <\/span><\/span>T<\/span><\/span>ertiary Matriculation <\/span><\/span>E<\/span><\/span>xamination (UTME)<\/span><\/span>. These are the Chairmen and members of the <\/span><\/span>Chief External Examiners Group, <\/span><\/span>Peace Monitors, the Civil Society Group, JAMB Equal Opportunity Group<\/span><\/span> (JEOG)<\/span><\/span>, the General Monitors Group, High-Powered Opinion Leaders, the Roving Group, <\/span><\/span>the Technical Advisors Gro<\/span><\/span>up,<\/span><\/span> Virtues Vanguards<\/span><\/span>, and NIPEDS committee<\/span><\/span>. I thank them all through Prof. Emeritus Peter <\/span><\/span>Okebukola<\/span><\/span>, the Chairman of JEOG, whose extraordinary commitment to quality education and institutional excellence deserves a mention in the book of records. \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I must not fail to appreciate the Nigerian media. The <\/span><\/span>large <\/span><\/span>number of editoria<\/span><\/span>ls and opinion articles that has<\/span><\/span> been brought to my attention in the past few weeks still surprises me<\/span><\/span> as I find <\/span><\/span>it<\/span><\/span> unusual. <\/span><\/span>I thank you all. <\/span><\/span>I must acknowledge even those media<\/span><\/span> organisations<\/span><\/span>that cast doubt on my competence and wondered how I could succeed a <\/span><\/span>P<\/span><\/span>rofessor of <\/span><\/span>Test and <\/span><\/span>Measurement<\/span><\/span> when I was appointed in 2016. <\/span><\/span>For them to now write generously is quite unexpected but appreciated. <\/span><\/span>I equally appreciate all men and women of goodwill, including colleagues, friends and associates, who have, one way or another, expressed a good word, shared a progressive idea, demonstrated support and offered advice in the course of this assignment. I cannot thank <\/span><\/span>each of you enough, and may the Almighty Allah reward you in manifold ways<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

My Stewardship<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

When I took over the mandate of leadership at JAMB, I outlined five cardinal points that my Administration would be anchored on in \u201cLet\u2019s Do It Together: The Biggest Room in the World\u201d. These cardinal point<\/span><\/span>s<\/span><\/span> are <\/span><\/span>welfare, discipline, technology, transparency and networking<\/span><\/span>. In these five,<\/span><\/span> though perfection belongs to the Almighty Allah, I can confidently say we tried our best. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Given that no business or <\/span><\/span>organisation<\/span><\/span> can become<\/span><\/span> greater<\/span><\/span> than the thinking minds and consciousness of those who operate it, we took<\/span><\/span> staff<\/span><\/span> welfare<\/span><\/span> with seriousness. Not only were deserving staff promoted as <\/span><\/span>and<\/span><\/span> when due, they were also provided with the tools to <\/span><\/span>work and <\/span><\/span>to a large extent, <\/span><\/span>a conducive environment. This <\/span><\/span>is <\/span><\/span>reflected in <\/span><\/span>the <\/span><\/span>rehabilitation of existing structures and <\/span><\/span>the <\/span><\/span>construction of new ones<\/span><\/span> across the country<\/span><\/span>. <\/span><\/span>Then, w<\/span><\/span>e committed over N8 billion to strengthening employees\u2019 retirement savings and their overall financial stability, provided \u2018retirement handshakes\u2019 of between #3 million and #10 million to retiring staff and introduced an extra annual salary bonus called <\/span><\/span>\u201c<\/span><\/span>13<\/span><\/span>th<\/span><\/span> month salary\u201d to boost staff\u2019s morale.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Besides, we introduced<\/span><\/span> examination duty incentives of<\/span><\/span> 10%<\/span><\/span>, which we recently increased to 20<\/span><\/span>%, <\/span><\/span>and <\/span><\/span>provided <\/span><\/span>free <\/span><\/span>daily meals<\/span><\/span>. \u00a0A<\/span><\/span>nd<\/span><\/span> for headquarters staff, we supplemented their salary with free<\/span><\/span> transport for staff stationed at critical operational hubs<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span>We also intervened in the medical treatment of staff, with a single staff member getting a sum of #12 million for his treatment at the National Hospital. We rewarded exceptional staff with cash and <\/span><\/span>awards while we named a JAMB Zonal Office and a complex of PTC\/PRCs<\/span><\/span> after a staff member, demonstrating that hard work and resilience would not go unacknowledged. Even if some of the interventions drew legislative scrutiny, we stood by our decision because without dedicated and motivated staff, we won\u2019t achieve the JAMB that Nigeria deserves.<\/span><\/span>Beyond the staff, we also extended welfare to the studen<\/span><\/span>ts, reducing the cost of <\/span><\/span>UTME <\/span><\/span>application by 30% <\/span><\/span>and spon<\/span><\/span>soring the special needs candidates and their guide<\/span><\/span>s to the exam venues in addition to <\/span><\/span>refund of application fee, <\/span><\/span>feeding and accommodating them.<\/span><\/span> We als<\/span><\/span>o<\/span><\/span> extended hands of fellowship to the institutions by dispensing, through NATAPM Award, about #7<\/span><\/span>50 million annually, to different tertiary institutions in the country. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

It is said that the first law in heaven is <\/span><\/span>discipline<\/span><\/span> and indiscipline is the mother of all evils.<\/span><\/span> Though we promote and<\/span><\/span> enhance staff welfare, we did<\/span><\/span> not condone indiscipline. In this regard, we did not shy away from maintaining strict discipline and more than 10 staff have faced prosecution <\/span><\/span>ove<\/span><\/span>r allegations of <\/span><\/span>misconduct. The <\/span><\/span>sensationalised<\/span><\/span> case of a snake gulping #36 million naira that the media feasted on was just one of the measures taken to entrench discipline. I remember that the EFCC tweeted then that an \u201ceagle (representing EFCC) shows no mercy for money-swallowing snake(s)\u201d. I share the belief that we must <\/span><\/span>all suffer for either the pain of discipline or the pain of regret or disappointment. This is why discipline is incontestable as a cardinal principle of JAMB operations<\/span><\/span> and <\/span><\/span>that<\/span><\/span>accounts for the well-known remittances of scores of billions in operational surpluses to the government treasury<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

At the heart of our operational blueprint is <\/span><\/span>technology<\/span><\/span> and we owe many of our far-reaching reforms to <\/span><\/span>innovative technologies. Scaling up of Computer-Based Test (CBT), improvement of digital architecture, <\/span><\/span>creating <\/span><\/span>Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS), advanced biometric and identity verification, CCTV monitoring, digital PINs and payments as well as Remote Authoring and Moderation System (RAMS)<\/span><\/span> and institutional digital transformation are some of the steps taken to make <\/span><\/span>our <\/span><\/span>operations seamless on rock-solid integrity. <\/span><\/span>We also commenced the Bring-Your-Device initiative, which we believe will be <\/span><\/span>perfected and operationalized.<\/span><\/span> What happened last year which made me emotional was a proof that technology has its limits, just like everything human, and eternal vigilance is the price of liberty<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

My stewardship <\/span><\/span>i<\/span><\/span>s also anchored on <\/span><\/span>transparency<\/span><\/span> as I believe that only darkness is afraid of light. In this regard, our operational and financial <\/span><\/span>transactions are in the open domain and our weekly newsletter, <\/span><\/span>JAMB Bulletin<\/span><\/span>, always contains details of our activities and finances. Transparency goes beyond the material and it involves the admission process itself. With a system like CAPS, which is deemed revolutionary, the admissions into our institutions are transparent and anyone can question why a candidate is not admitted despite meriting it. The syndrome of \u2018under<\/span><\/span>–<\/span><\/span>the<\/span><\/span>–<\/span><\/span>table\u2019 admissions <\/span><\/span>has been confined to antiquity <\/span><\/span>and this actually brings relief to all stakeholders <\/span><\/span>because<\/span><\/span> the records would be glaring to implicate anyone who circumvents laid down procedure. My belief is that transparency<\/span><\/span>, which is about ensuring that honest, accurate and accessible information is available even before asking, <\/span><\/span>transforms institutions by eliminating toxic silos. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Lastly, on <\/span><\/span>networking<\/span><\/span>, we could not have achieved anything without leveraging networks and partnerships. We enjoyed the cooperation of the security agencies and I thank the National Security Adviser, the Dir<\/span><\/span>ector General of State <\/span><\/span>Service<\/span><\/span>s (DG<\/span><\/span>SS)<\/span><\/span>, the Director General of National Intelligence Agency<\/span><\/span> (NIA),<\/span><\/span> the Inspector General of Police<\/span><\/span>and<\/span><\/span> the Commandant-General of NSCDC. We networked functionally with our armed forces, the EFCC and ICPC. We also enjoyed working hand-in-hand with Vice Chancellors, Rectors and Provosts <\/span><\/span>being<\/span><\/span> Chief Examination Officers.<\/span><\/span> We worked with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), civil society groups, the media, public institutions and <\/span><\/span>1,010 <\/span><\/span>private CBT owners to achieve <\/span><\/span>excellent <\/span><\/span>service delivery. <\/span><\/span>The contribution of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in providing highly valued Professional Test <\/span><\/span>Cent<\/span><\/span>res<\/span><\/span> is of immense benefit, for which we are grateful.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

W<\/span><\/span>e cooperated with professional associations within and outside Nigeria<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span> especially <\/span><\/span>the <\/span><\/span>Association for Educational Assessment in Africa (AEAA)<\/span><\/span>, Association of West African Universities (AWAU)<\/span><\/span> and <\/span><\/span>the <\/span><\/span>International Association for Educational Assessment (IEAA). <\/span><\/span>We also established, in collaboration with 18 other credible national agencies and institutions, the Nigerian Educational Assessment Academy (NEAA) for the training of professionally competent educational assessors. \u00a0<\/span><\/span>That was the reason <\/span><\/span>why<\/span><\/span> I stated that working as a team with partners and networking with others makes us achieve more, TEAM meaning Together, Everyone Achieves More, which we held on to as a mantra.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In these five<\/span><\/span> key<\/span><\/span> areas<\/span><\/span> and others<\/span><\/span>, Prof. Emeritus <\/span><\/span>Okebukola<\/span><\/span> has <\/span><\/span>painstakingly<\/span><\/span> made a list of 200 achievements recorded and I thank him immensely for his <\/span><\/span>labour<\/span><\/span> of love and service to<\/span><\/span> our dear<\/span><\/span> nation. <\/span><\/span>I must also put on record the foundational efforts of Sen. <\/span><\/span>Shuaib<\/span><\/span> Afolabi<\/span><\/span> Salisu<\/span><\/span>, <\/span><\/span>Mr<\/span><\/span> Fabian <\/span><\/span>Okoro<\/span><\/span>, <\/span><\/span>Dami<\/span><\/span> Bamiro<\/span><\/span>, and <\/span><\/span>Maruf<\/span><\/span> Afolabi<\/span><\/span>, with whom we masticated the initial plan of action. Immense gratitude is also due to Professors Bashir <\/span><\/span>Galadanci<\/span><\/span>, <\/span><\/span>Yahuza<\/span><\/span> Bello, <\/span><\/span>Boniface <\/span><\/span>Ginikanwa<\/span><\/span> Nwo<\/span><\/span>r<\/span><\/span>gu<\/span><\/span> and <\/span><\/span>Ekanem<\/span><\/span> Ikpi<\/span><\/span> Braide<\/span><\/span>. The contributions of my dear brother, <\/span><\/span>Mr<\/span><\/span>Muftau<\/span><\/span> Bello, FCA is unique. I cannot thank him <\/span><\/span>enough for sincerity, incorruptibility and consistency.<\/span><\/span> \u00a0<\/span><\/span>May God reward him abundantly.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

My <\/span><\/span>S<\/span><\/span>uccessor\u2019s Success<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

When I stood at the threshold of this national assignment ten years ago, I understood the depth of the responsibility placed on me<\/span><\/span>. I knew <\/span><\/span>the privilege and burden of stewarding a process that opens the doors to millions of Nigerians. One thing I remembered clear<\/span><\/span>ly<\/span><\/span>was that I was just like a general on a military expedition and to fight, I needed officers and troops. God has been so helpful to make many good people come my way and with all these stakeholders, we <\/span><\/span>have<\/span><\/span> faced challenges and seized opportunities, confronted doubts and nurtured innovation. We have tried over the past ten years <\/span><\/span>to <\/span><\/span>sustain a noble mandate of ensuring fairness, standard and credibility in placing candidates in our tertiary institutions.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

During this period, we <\/span><\/span>moderni<\/span><\/span>s<\/span><\/span>ed<\/span><\/span> processes, <\/span><\/span>invested in technology, drastically reduced malpractice and ensured transparency. We also raised the bar of accountability in ways that have restored confidence in the system and the integrity of the scores produced. We made mistakes and we corrected them. For whatever was done right, it was a collective effort. For whatever was not good enough, I accept responsibility and crave your pardon. What matters most is that the institution today is strengthened more than ever before.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

As I hand over the leadership of this great institution, I do so with absolute confidence in its future. The Board is blessed with a dedicated workforce, robust institutional systems and an enduring culture of integrity. I have no doubt that under the leadership of my successor, Professor Segun Aina, and with the continued support of Government, the Governing Board, Management, staff and stakeholders, JAMB will continue to attain even greater heights in the service of our nation.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I wish my successor, Prof. <\/span><\/span>Segun<\/span><\/span> Aina<\/span><\/span>, great success and his success is the success of all of us <\/span><\/span>who<\/span><\/span> have been privileged to steer JAMB<\/span><\/span>since <\/span><\/span>its <\/span><\/span>inception<\/span><\/span>. My belief is that the advantage and vibrancy of his younger age <\/span><\/span>and his ICT expertise <\/span><\/span>would propel the Board to higher heights than previously attained. He can rest assured of my<\/span><\/span> advice if <\/span><\/span>and when it is required<\/span><\/span>. As I said at the beginning of this month during <\/span><\/span>a <\/span><\/span>JEOG National Engagement, my allusion to the surgeon who is only congratulated after a surgery was made at the beginning of my stewardship to deflect from receiving congratulatory messages. Now that it appears that people took it literally, I enjoin all to appreciate that there is no success without a successor and they should rather support and pray for Prof. <\/span><\/span>Aina\u2019s<\/span><\/span> success at this point.<\/span><\/span> It is time to face the future with renewed <\/span><\/span>vigour<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

While returning to my family and my close circle of friends with gratitude, I thank my wife, children<\/span><\/span>, grandchildren<\/span><\/span> and my bosom friends like blood brothers, who selflessly stood by me, supported me, and genuinely shared my pains and anxieties with the hope that it would soon be over. \u00a0It is now over.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Finally, I thank Almighty Allah for the privilege of serving Nigeria through this noble institution. May He continue to guide, protect and bless the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board in the faithful discharge of its statutory responsibilities for generations to come<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

xiii<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\n<\/div>\n

I thank you <\/span><\/span>all <\/span><\/span>for your rapt attention and wish you all <\/span><\/span>the best as I hand over to my able and am<\/span><\/span>iable successor, Prof. <\/span><\/span>Aina<\/span><\/span>, as<\/span><\/span> he competently leads the Board to its future and the future is now.<\/span><\/span> Prof. <\/span><\/span>Aina<\/span><\/span>, the sky shall be your beginning, not your limit!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

HISTORY MADE, FUTURE BECKONS Address Delivered by the Outgoing Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede,<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":23211,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mi_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23210","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thenewsnow.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23210","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thenewsnow.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thenewsnow.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thenewsnow.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thenewsnow.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23210"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/thenewsnow.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23210\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23215,"href":"https:\/\/thenewsnow.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23210\/revisions\/23215"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thenewsnow.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/23211"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thenewsnow.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23210"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thenewsnow.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23210"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thenewsnow.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23210"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}