"In a major leadership shift within the Nigerian education sector, President Bola Tinubu has appointed Professor Segun Aina to succeed Professor Ishaq Oloyede as the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB)."
The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a pivotal change in the leadership of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). President Bola Tinubu has appointed Professor Segun Aina as the new Registrar of the examination body. This transition follows the impending conclusion of the tenure of the incumbent Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, whose service is officially scheduled to end on July 31, 2026.
The appointment was made public in an official statement released on Thursday, May 21, 2026, by the President's Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. Professor Aina, a 39-year-old academic and professional, is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the management of Nigeria's tertiary admissions process.
Professor Aina brings a wealth of interdisciplinary experience to the role. He is a recognized professional with active memberships in several prestigious organizations, including the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and the Institution of Engineering and Technology. His background is viewed by the administration as a critical asset that will help drive the Board's technological and operational efficiency.
President Tinubu, in his communication, expressed strong confidence in the ability of Professor Aina to not only maintain the standards set by his predecessor, Professor Ishaq Oloyede—who is widely credited with the digitization and sanitization of the admission process—but to surpass them. The administration remains committed to ensuring that the integrity of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) remains intact as the nation transitions into the new academic cycle.
For candidates and stakeholders, the transition period is expected to be seamless. The JAMB management has assured the public that ongoing processes, including the 2026 admission cycle and recent registration extensions, will proceed as planned under the existing framework. Scholars and applicants are advised to remain focused on their academic pursuits and monitor official portals for further guidance on the upcoming policy meetings and admission guidelines.
