The newly appointed Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Segun Aina, has pledged to make the protection of the Board’s integrity his top priority, promising to uphold fairness, transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s tertiary admissions process.
Aina made the commitment on Friday during his official handover ceremony at JAMB’s National Headquarters in Bwari, Abuja.
The professor of computer engineering said integrity remains the foundation of every credible institution, stressing that technological advancement and operational efficiency are meaningless without public trust.
“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.”
The new registrar also vowed to intensify the fight against examination malpractice and admission fraud, warning that individuals and groups attempting to undermine the credibility of the examination system would face stricter enforcement measures.
He said JAMB would strengthen efforts to identify and prosecute operators of examination malpractice syndicates, impersonators, certificate forgers, cybercriminals and corrupt officials by leveraging technology, intelligence gathering and stronger institutional oversight.
According to Aina, protecting the integrity of examinations goes beyond enforcing regulations, as it also safeguards opportunities for hardworking and deserving candidates.
He added that the Board would deepen collaboration with security agencies and other stakeholders while adopting global best practices to combat emerging forms of examination fraud.
Aina emphasised that every admission secured through dishonest means unfairly denies a qualified candidate the opportunity to pursue higher education.
Beyond addressing malpractice, the registrar outlined plans to improve JAMB’s service delivery by making its operations more transparent, efficient and user-friendly.
He said the Board would simplify procedures, strengthen communication channels and deploy technology to improve efficiency, helping to reduce the anxiety often associated with examination registration, admissions and other JAMB-related services.
According to him, his vision is to build a more accessible, transparent and citizen-focused institution where candidates, parents and educational institutions receive prompt information and professional support.
Aina noted that JAMB plays a critical role in shaping the future of millions of young Nigerians by providing access to higher education and opportunities for personal advancement.
He expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for entrusting him with the leadership of the Board and pledged to justify the confidence through dedicated service and commitment to the public interest.
The registrar also acknowledged the support of the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, promising to work closely with the Federal Ministry of Education to advance ongoing reforms in the education sector.
Aina paid tribute to former JAMB registrars, including Michael Saidu Angulu, Mohammed Abubakar, Bello Salim, Dibu Ojerinde, and his immediate predecessor, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, whose contributions he said transformed JAMB into one of Nigeria’s most respected public institutions.
He reserved special commendation for Oloyede, praising his reforms, leadership and efforts to strengthen public confidence in the Board.
According to Aina, the seamless transition demonstrates JAMB’s culture of institutional continuity and professionalism, adding that true leadership is measured not only by achievements but also by preparing successors for sustained progress.
Reflecting on his appointment, Aina described it as a full-circle moment, recalling that he served at JAMB as a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member nearly two decades ago.
He said returning to lead the institution is both humbling and inspiring, pledging to build on the Board’s achievements while positioning it to meet the demands of Nigeria’s rapidly evolving educational system.
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