A gathering of Nigeria’s education leaders, government officials and key stakeholders converged in Abuja at the weekend to celebrate the contributions of the immediate past Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Ishaq Oloyede, as he officially ended his decade-long tenure at the examination body.
The farewell reception, held at the Abuja Continental Hotel shortly after Oloyede handed over the leadership of JAMB to his successor, Professor Segun Aina, attracted serving and former ministers, political leaders, heads of tertiary institutions, education agency chiefs, members of the National Assembly, JAMB management and staff, family members and close associates.
The event provided an opportunity for stakeholders across Nigeria’s education sector to reflect on Oloyede’s years of service, which many described as a period of significant transformation in the administration of tertiary admissions.
Among those present were the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa; Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Ahmad; former Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman; Nigeria’s first female Minister of Education, Professor Chinwe Obaji; Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Arc. Sonny Echono; Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor Wahab Egbewole, SAN; Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Professor Hakeem Fawehinmi, among others.
Also in attendance were Vice-Chancellor of Baze University Abuja, Professor Abiodun Adeniyi; Registrar of the National Examinations Council (NECO), Professor Ibrahim Wushishi; Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Abdullahi Ribadu; Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Dr Olugbemisola Odusote; former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole; senior lawyer Yusuf Ali, SAN, and other education stakeholders.
The wide representation reflected the recognition of Oloyede’s tenure as one that went beyond examination administration, with stakeholders crediting him for introducing reforms anchored on technology, transparency, accountability and improved institutional efficiency.
Leading the tributes, Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, described Oloyede as an exceptional public servant whose leadership transformed JAMB into a model institution in Nigeria’s public sector.
Alausa said Oloyede demonstrated that integrity, innovation and discipline could redefine public service delivery, noting that the former registrar’s tenure restored confidence in the examination body and strengthened the credibility of the tertiary admissions process.
He highlighted the adoption of technology under Oloyede’s leadership as a major achievement, saying it helped improve examination processes, reduce malpractice and enhance transparency in admissions.
According to the minister, Oloyede’s impact extended beyond JAMB, describing him as a national asset whose commitment to accountability and excellence provided inspiration for reforms across the education sector.
He urged other public institutions to emulate the values of honesty, discipline and selfless service associated with Oloyede’s administration.
Alausa also advised the new JAMB Registrar, Professor Segun Aina, to draw from Oloyede’s experience and regard him as a mentor, stressing that his guidance would be valuable in sustaining the reforms and institutional gains recorded under the former registrar.
Similarly, the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Ahmad, said Oloyede’s tenure represented a major turning point in the management of tertiary admissions in Nigeria.
She noted that his technology-driven reforms improved transparency, reduced examination malpractice and strengthened public confidence in JAMB.
Ahmad said Oloyede proved that public institutions could provide efficient, transparent and citizen-focused services when guided by principled leadership.
Former Minister of Education, Professor Chinwe Obaji, also praised Oloyede’s leadership qualities, describing him as a transformational administrator whose courage and commitment reshaped public sector management.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor Wahab Egbewole, described Oloyede as an uncommon Nigerian whose reform-oriented leadership at both the university and JAMB would remain memorable.
Other speakers, including Arc. Sonny Echono, Professor Hakeem Fawehinmi, Professor Obaji and senior lawyer Yusuf Ali, SAN, highlighted Oloyede’s contributions to institutional reform, operational efficiency and the preservation of integrity within Nigeria’s tertiary admissions system.
They agreed that he was leaving behind a stronger, more transparent and technologically advanced JAMB than the institution he inherited in 2016.
The stakeholders also praised his commitment to merit, accountability and institutional excellence, expressing confidence that the principles established during his tenure would continue to influence the operations of JAMB and the wider education sector.
In his remarks, the new JAMB Registrar, Professor Segun Aina, acknowledged the significant responsibility before him, describing Oloyede’s achievements as a high standard of leadership and public service.
Aina said Oloyede’s decade-long administration transformed JAMB into one of Nigeria’s most respected public institutions through innovation, transparency and accountability.
He pledged to build on the foundation established by his predecessor, assuring stakeholders that the Board would continue to protect the integrity of the admissions process, strengthen existing reforms and maintain the culture of excellence associated with JAMB.
The reception featured goodwill messages, tributes and reflections on Oloyede’s contributions, alongside presentations of gifts and commemorative items by JAMB management and staff, TETFund and the National Universities Commission in recognition of his service.
Stakeholders described the occasion as a fitting tribute to an administrator whose reforms have left a lasting mark on Nigeria’s education landscape.