By Sabiu Abdullahi
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Professor Segun Aina as the new Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
Aina, who lectures Computer Engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, will take over from Professor Ishaq Oloyede, whose second tenure will end on July 31, 2026.
Oloyede first assumed office as JAMB registrar on August 9, 2016, under former President Muhammadu Buhari. He later secured another five-year term in August 2021.
At 39 years old, Aina is expected to become the youngest person ever appointed to head the examination body. He will turn 40 in July.
The appointment was disclosed in a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who described the new registrar as “a distinguished academic and systems expert with extensive experience in national examination systems, digital infrastructure, and public-sector institutional reform”.
According to the statement, Aina studied Computer Systems Engineering at the University of Kent, United Kingdom, where he obtained a Bachelor of Engineering degree. He also earned an MSc in Internet Computing and Network Security as well as a PhD in Digital Signal Processing from Loughborough University.
“He has also completed the Senior Management Programme at Lagos Business School,” Onanuga said.
The presidential aide explained that Aina’s relationship with JAMB started during his National Youth Service year.
“Aina began his career with JAMB during his National Youth Service, gaining foundational experience in national admissions and data-driven institutional processes,” the statement read.
“These insights have shaped his ongoing contributions to examination reform and systems optimisation.”
Onanuga added that the professor has spent more than 15 years working in areas connected to technology, governance and institutional development.
“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 said.
“At 39, he became one of Nigeria’s youngest Computer Engineering professors and will now make history as JAMB’s youngest registrar.”
The statement also noted that Aina had previously worked with examination agencies such as NECO and NABTEB, alongside several state ministries of education, especially on ICT systems and examination processes.
“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.”
Aina belongs to several professional associations, 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).
The presidency expressed confidence that the new registrar would deploy his experience and technical knowledge to strengthen JAMB’s operations.
