Prof. Is-haq Oloyede's Transformative Leadership at JAMB

Professor Is-haq Oloyede is widely recognized as a leading education administrator in Nigeria, credited with transforming the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) since taking office in August 2016. His tenure, which concludes in 2026, is marked by significant reforms that have shifted JAMB from an agency known for corruption and inefficiency to one celebrated for transparency, accountability, and technological innovation.

Oloyede's leadership has resulted in substantial financial contributions to the Federal Government, with JAMB remitting over N50 billion. This figure starkly contrasts with the mere N50 million remitted by his predecessors, a success attributed to stringent cost controls, prevention of financial leakages, and disciplined financial management.

Technological advancement has been a cornerstone of Oloyede's reforms. He modernized the Board's operations by enhancing the Computer-Based Test (CBT) system and implementing robust security measures to combat examination malpractice. This has led to a notable decline in reported cases of malpractice, from 123 in 2024 to 52 in 2026, through measures like reduced impersonation and reformed registration and examination processes.

Perhaps his most impactful innovation is the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS), introduced in 2017. CAPS has revolutionized admissions into Nigerian tertiary institutions by ensuring fairness, transparency, and merit-based decisions, while minimizing human interference. It has also restored autonomy to institutions in their admission processes, fostering an environment of openness and accountability.