President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed a Professor of Computer Engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Professor Segun Aina, as the new Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
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The appointee is succeeding Professor Is-haq Oloyede, whose two-term tenure expires on July 31, 2026.
This is according to a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu’s official spokesperson.
What the Presidency is saying
According to the statement, Professor Aina, who will be 40 in July, is a distinguished academic and systems expert with extensive experience in national examination systems, digital infrastructure, and public-sector institutional reform.
Onanuga stated that President Tinubu expects Professor Aina to bring to bear his vast experience, knowledge and practical insight into the operations of the Board.
He is advised to take the critical educational organisation beyond the laudable heights achieved by his predecessor.
Onanuga stressed that at 39, he became one of Nigeria’s youngest Computer Engineering professors and will now make history as JAMB’s youngest registrar.
More insights
According to the statement, the appointee holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Systems Engineering from the University of Kent, an MSc in Internet Computing and Network Security, and a PhD in Digital Signal Processing, both from Loughborough University, United Kingdom.
He has also completed the Senior Management Programme at Lagos Business School.
Aina began his career with JAMB during his National Youth Service, gaining foundational experience in national admissions and data-driven institutional processes.
The presidency states that these insights have shaped his ongoing contributions to examination reform and systems optimisation.
With over 15 years of post-graduation experience, Professor Aina operates at the intersection of technology, policy, and institutional transformation, advising federal and state governments on system design, digital transition, and operational reform.
He has served as a consultant to major examination bodies, including NECO, NABTEB, and various State Ministries of Education, providing expertise on ICT systems, examination integrity, and digital process optimisation.
Professor Aina is a member of several professional bodies, 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 (IET).
What you should know
The appointee is coming on board at a time when JAMB has retained its minimum admission thresholds for the 2026 admission cycle while also introducing a policy shift that will take effect from 2027.
- The minimum cut-off mark remains 150 for universities and Colleges of Nursing Sciences, while polytechnics will admit candidates from 100 and above
- The minimum admission age is still pegged at 16 years for all tertiary institutions
- Candidates seeking admission into Colleges of Education for education and agriculture non-engineering programmes will be exempted from writing the UTME from the 2027 admission cycle
The new policy is aimed at widening access to teacher training and agriculture-related programmes, while universities and polytechnics offering similar courses will continue to require UTME participation
The policy has sparked debate nationwide, with Nigerians divided over whether the exemption will improve access to education or weaken academic standards in key professional fields.
