The newly appointed Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Segun Aina, has declared that safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s tertiary admission process will be the defining priority of his administration.
Speaking during his official handover ceremony at JAMB’s National Headquarters in Bwari, Abuja, on Friday, Aina said the credibility of the examination body must remain non-negotiable, stressing that public trust is the foundation upon which every achievement of the institution rests.
He pledged to deploy every legal means available to preserve the Board’s integrity, warning that examination malpractice, admission fraud and other forms of corruption would face renewed resistance under his leadership.
According to him, integrity is more than a guiding principle for JAMB, describing it as the bedrock of fairness, transparency and public confidence.
“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,” he said.
Aina warned operators of examination malpractice syndicates, impersonators, certificate forgers, cybercriminals and corrupt officials that JAMB would strengthen efforts to detect, expose and prosecute offenders through the use of advanced technology, intelligence gathering and enhanced institutional oversight.
He explained that protecting the credibility of examinations goes beyond enforcing regulations, noting that every fraudulent admission unjustly denies a deserving candidate the opportunity to secure admission based on merit.
The registrar also announced plans to deepen collaboration with security agencies and other relevant stakeholders to combat emerging threats to examination integrity while adopting global best practices to secure the Board’s systems against abuse.
Beyond the fight against malpractice, Aina outlined measures to improve JAMB’s service delivery by making its operations more transparent, efficient, and user-friendly.
He said the Board would simplify administrative procedures, strengthen communication channels and leverage technology to ease the registration, admission and examination processes for candidates, parents and tertiary institutions.
According to him, Nigerians interacting with JAMB should experience confidence and professionalism rather than frustration, adding that the Board must evolve into a more responsive, accessible and citizen-focused institution.
Aina described JAMB as a strategic national institution that shapes the future of millions of young Nigerians by providing fair access to higher education.
He expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for appointing him to lead the agency and pledged to justify the confidence reposed in him through dedicated service and commitment to the public interest.
The registrar also appreciated the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, promising to work closely with the Federal Ministry of Education in implementing reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s education system.
He paid tribute to former JAMB registrars, including pioneer Registrar Michael Saidu Angulu, Mohammed Abubakar, Bello Salim, Dibu Ojerinde and his immediate predecessor, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, for their contributions to the growth of the examination body.
Aina singled out Oloyede for special commendation, praising his reform agenda and efforts to restore public confidence in JAMB over the years.
He noted that the seamless transition underscored the Board’s culture of professionalism and institutional continuity, adding that enduring leadership is measured not only by accomplishments but also by the ability to prepare successors for sustained progress.
Reflecting on his appointment, Aina described his emergence as registrar as a remarkable full-circle moment, recalling that he served at JAMB as a National Youth Service Corps member nearly 20 years ago.
He said returning to lead the institution was both humbling and inspiring, pledging to consolidate previous achievements while positioning the Board to meet the demands of a rapidly changing educational environment.
