Prof. Segun Aina, a professor of computer engineering, has officially assumed leadership as the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), placing institutional integrity at the very top of his agenda.
Speaking on Friday during the official handover ceremony held at JAMB’s National Headquarters in Bwari, Abuja, the new chief executive emphasized that trust and transparency form the essential backbone of any credible organization. He noted that operational efficiency and technical advancements mean little if they are not grounded in ethical principles.
“Ladies and gentlemen, trust is not built by speeches; it is built by decisions, by the choices we make when no one is watching, by the standards we refuse to compromise and by the value that every Nigerian can place in the fairness of this institution,” Aina said.
“That is why the first commitment of my stewardship is simple: we shall protect the integrity of JAMB with everything the law permits. Integrity is not merely one of our values; it is the foundation upon which every other achievement rests.
Without integrity, technology becomes a tool for manipulation; without integrity, efficiency loses its meaning; without integrity, public confidence disappears.”
Signaling an aggressive stance against examination fraud and admission racketeering, Aina declared that his leadership will maintain zero tolerance for anyone attempting to compromise the country’s tertiary entry processes.
He issued a clear warning to cybercriminals, impersonators, certificate forgers, syndicate operators, and compromised officers, noting that JAMB will sharpen its intelligence gathering, leverage technology, and enforce stronger oversight to catch and prosecute offenders.
Protecting the sanctity of tests, he stressed, is fundamentally about safeguarding opportunities for diligent candidates.
Because every fraudulently obtained admission cheats a deserving applicant of a rightful spot, the Board will remain resolute in upholding merit and justice while expanding its partnership with security services and relevant bodies.
In tandem with combating fraud, the new registrar plans to overhaul service delivery to eliminate the stress typically linked with registrations, admissions, and other operational processes.
He promised streamlined procedures, open communication lines, and enhanced digital solutions to foster a more responsive, citizen-centric agency where students and parents encounter efficiency rather than frustration.
Highlighting the critical role JAMB plays in shaping the futures of young citizens, Aina expressed deep gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for the appointment.
He promised to fulfill the duty with dedication and public-interest focus. He also acknowledged the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, pledging close cooperation with the ministry to advance educational sector reforms.
Reflecting on the agency’s history, Aina honored past leaders, including pioneer Registrar Michael Saidu Angulu, Dr. Mohammed Abubakar, Prof. Bello Salim, Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, and his direct predecessor, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede.
He gave special recognition to Oloyede for his transformative leadership and reforms that built strong public trust in the Board. He added that the seamless transition reflects deep institutional professionalism and continuity.
The appointment holds personal significance for Aina, who revealed that he served at JAMB as a National Youth Service Corps member nearly two decades ago.
Returning as the leader of the institution, he described the journey as humbling and inspiring, committing to build upon existing successes to navigate an evolving educational landscape.
