By Ayomide Otitoju
The newly appointed Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Segun Aina, has pledged to make the protection of the Board’s integrity his top priority, promising a stronger crackdown on examination malpractice and admission fraud.
Aina made the commitment on Friday during his formal handover ceremony at JAMB’s National Headquarters in Bwari, Abuja.
He described integrity as the foundation of every credible institution, stressing that technological innovation and operational efficiency are meaningless without transparency and public trust.
“Trust is not built by speeches; it is built by decisions, by the choices we make when no one is watching, and by the standards we refuse to compromise,” he said.
According to the new registrar, his administration will protect the integrity of JAMB “with everything the law permits,” noting that preserving the credibility of the nation’s admission process is essential to ensuring fairness for all candidates.
Aina warned operators of examination malpractice syndicates, impersonators, certificate forgers, cybercriminals and corrupt officials that the Board would intensify efforts to identify and prosecute offenders through advanced technology, intelligence gathering and stronger institutional oversight.
He said JAMB would also deepen collaboration with security agencies and other stakeholders while adopting global best practices to combat emerging forms of examination fraud.
The registrar stressed that every admission secured through dishonest means denies a deserving candidate the opportunity to access higher education on merit.
Beyond addressing malpractice, Aina outlined plans to improve service delivery by simplifying procedures, strengthening communication channels and deploying technology to make registration, admissions and other JAMB services more efficient.
He said the Board would focus on building a transparent, accessible and citizen-centred institution where candidates, parents and educational institutions receive timely information and professional support.
Aina described JAMB as a critical institution that shapes the future of millions of young Nigerians through equitable access to tertiary education.
He expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for appointing him as registrar and pledged to justify the confidence reposed in him through dedicated service.
The new registrar also acknowledged the support of the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, and promised to work closely with the Federal Ministry of Education to advance reforms in the education sector.
Aina paid tribute to former JAMB registrars, including Michael Saidu Angulu, Mohammed Abubakar, Bello Salim, Dibu Ojerinde and his immediate predecessor, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, whom he praised for strengthening the Board’s credibility through sustained reforms.
He described the seamless transition process as evidence of institutional continuity and professionalism, noting that effective leadership includes preparing successors to sustain progress.
Reflecting on his appointment, Aina recalled serving at JAMB as a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member nearly two decades ago, describing his return to lead the examination body as a humbling and inspiring milestone.
He pledged to build on the Board’s achievements while positioning it to meet the evolving demands of Nigeria’s education sector.
