Alausa, Education Leaders lead tribute to Oloyede after 10 years of reforms
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, and former Minister of Education, Prof. Chinwe Obaji, on Friday led tributes to the immediate past Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, as he bowed out after a decade of reforms that transformed the examination body.
The reception, held at the Abuja Continental Hotel shortly after Oloyede handed over to his successor, Prof. Segun Aina, attracted senior government officials, education stakeholders, lawmakers, vice-chancellors, heads of tertiary institutions, JAMB management and staff, family members and friends.
Among the dignitaries were the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad; Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Arc. Sonny Echono; and the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Egbewole (SAN).
Paying tribute, Alausa described Oloyede’s stewardship as “nothing short of transformational”, saying his leadership repositioned JAMB into one of Nigeria’s most respected public institutions through accountability, transparency, innovation and efficient service delivery.
“It is with profound admiration and deep appreciation that I pay tribute to Professor Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede as he concludes his distinguished tenure as Registrar of JAMB,” the minister said.
According to him, working closely with Oloyede gave him firsthand knowledge of the former registrar’s unwavering commitment to excellence, integrity, courage and visionary leadership.
He said Oloyede significantly enhanced the credibility of Nigeria’s tertiary admissions process and restored public confidence through reforms anchored on transparency and accountability.
Alausa also commended Oloyede’s prudent financial management, describing him as a model of incorruptibility whose insistence on due process and ethical conduct transformed JAMB into a shining example of good governance.
“His tenure has demonstrated that public institutions can be efficient, transparent, technologically driven and citizen-focused when led by individuals of character and conviction,” he said.
In her remarks, the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, described Oloyede’s administration as a defining era in Nigeria’s tertiary admissions system.
She said the former registrar distinguished himself as an exceptional administrator, scholar and public servant whose tenure was marked by integrity, innovation, discipline and unwavering commitment to excellence.
According to her, his strategic deployment of technology strengthened transparency, drastically reduced examination malpractice, improved service delivery and enhanced institutional credibility.
“Under his visionary leadership, JAMB emerged as one of the most credible and technologically driven examination bodies in Africa,” she said.
Former Minister of Education, Prof. Chinwe Obaji, described Oloyede as a transformational leader whose character and courage redefined public administration.
She said he restored public confidence in JAMB and transformed the agency from a conventional examination body into a globally respected institution driven by technology, transparency and institutional reforms.
Also speaking, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Egbewole (SAN), described Oloyede as an uncommon Nigerian whose contributions to both the University of Ilorin and JAMB would remain indelible.
He recalled Oloyede’s achievements as Vice-Chancellor of the university, saying he revolutionised infrastructure, human capital development and institutional growth before replicating the same reformist zeal at JAMB.
According to Egbewole, Oloyede restored integrity to the admissions process, strengthened public confidence and demonstrated that honesty and patriotism remain viable tools for public service.
Speakers at the event unanimously agreed that Oloyede leaves behind a stronger, more credible and technologically advanced JAMB than he inherited in 2016.
They particularly highlighted his record in financial accountability, noting that while previous administrations reportedly remitted about ₦50 million to the Federal Government over nearly four decades, Oloyede returned more than ₦7 billion in a single year and over ₦50 billion during his 10-year stewardship.
They also noted that his reforms fundamentally transformed Nigeria’s tertiary admissions system by deepening transparency, embracing technology and strengthening public trust in the examination body.
