The newly appointed Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Segun Aina, has vowed to make the protection of the examination body’s integrity the defining priority of his administration.
Aina made the pledge on Friday during his formal handover ceremony at JAMB’s National Headquarters in Bwari, Abuja, where he outlined his vision for the agency and declared zero tolerance for examination malpractice and admission fraud.
Describing integrity as the foundation of every credible institution, the professor of computer engineering said technological innovation and operational efficiency are meaningless without trust, fairness and transparency.
“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.
“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 registrar warned examination malpractice syndicates, impersonators, certificate forgers, cybercriminals and corrupt officials that the Board would intensify efforts to detect, expose and prosecute offenders through advanced technology, intelligence gathering and stronger institutional oversight.
According to him, safeguarding the credibility of public examinations is not merely about enforcing regulations but about protecting the future of hardworking and deserving candidates.
He said JAMB would deepen collaboration with security agencies and other stakeholders to tackle emerging forms of examination fraud while adopting global best practices to strengthen its systems against abuse.
“Every admission secured through dishonest means denies a qualified candidate a legitimate opportunity,” Aina said, stressing that the Board would remain uncompromising in upholding merit, fairness and accountability.
Beyond combating malpractice, the new registrar pledged to improve service delivery by making JAMB more efficient, transparent and responsive to the needs of candidates, parents and tertiary institutions.
He said the Board would simplify its processes, strengthen communication with stakeholders and deploy technology to enhance efficiency, with the aim of reducing the stress often associated with registration, admissions and other JAMB services.
“Our goal is to build an institution that is more transparent, more accessible and more citizen-focused, where candidates and parents experience confidence rather than frustration whenever they interact with the Board,” he said.
Aina described JAMB as one of Nigeria’s most important public institutions, noting that it plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of millions of young people by providing equitable access to higher education.
He expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for entrusting him with the leadership of the Board and pledged to justify the confidence reposed in him through diligent service and unwavering commitment to the public interest.
The registrar also thanked the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, for his support and promised to work closely with the Federal Ministry of Education to advance ongoing reforms in the education sector.
Paying tribute to his predecessors, Aina acknowledged the contributions of pioneer Registrar Michael Saidu Angulu, Mohammed Abubakar, Bello Salim, Dibu Ojerinde and his immediate predecessor, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, whom he credited with helping transform JAMB into one of Nigeria’s most respected public institutions.
He reserved special commendation for Oloyede, praising his reform-driven leadership and efforts to restore public confidence in the Board, adding that the seamless transition reflected JAMB’s culture of institutional continuity and professionalism.
According to Aina, true leadership is measured not only by achievements while in office but also by the ability to prepare an institution for sustained progress beyond one’s tenure.
Reflecting on his appointment, the new registrar described it as a full-circle moment, recalling that he had served at JAMB as a National Youth Service Corps member nearly two decades ago.
Returning to lead the same institution, he said, was both humbling and inspiring, promising to build on its achievements while positioning the Board to meet the demands of an increasingly dynamic educational landscape.
