Oloyede’s transformative legacy at JAMB

Is-haq Oloyede is set to conclude his impactful tenure as Registrar and Chief Executive of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) on July 31, leaving a legacy of profound institutional reform in Nigeria's education sector. Appointed in 2016, Oloyede inherited an agency notorious for corruption and inefficiency. He departs an institution now recognized as a benchmark for transparency, accountability, and operational effectiveness.

Under Oloyede's leadership, JAMB has undergone a remarkable financial turnaround. Between 2016 and 2022 alone, the board remitted N50 billion to the Federal Government, a stark contrast to its past performance where it generated only N52 million in surplus over its first 40 years. This financial success allowed JAMB to reduce the cost of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) form from N5,000 to N3,500, easing the financial strain on millions of applicants. Furthermore, Oloyede recently launched an N8 billion pension scheme for JAMB employees, addressing long-standing concerns about post-service welfare for public servants.

Technology has been central to Oloyede's transformative agenda. While Computer-Based Tests (CBT) were introduced before his tenure, he fully institutionalized and enhanced the system, ensuring credibility and sustainability. This technological integration has enabled faster result delivery and significantly curbed examination malpractice. JAMB has sanctioned numerous CBT centers for facilitating cheating and dismantled 'special centers' that once thrived on irregularities. In recent years, hundreds of centers have faced sanctions, with some permanently blacklisted, fundamentally altering public perception and restoring confidence in the examination process. The agency's capacity to manage an increasing number of candidates has also been bolstered by these technological advancements.