Tinubu Names 39-Year-Old Prof Segun Aina as New JAMB Chief

ABUJA — President Bola Tinubu has appointed Professor Segun Aina as the new Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board. The announcement was made on Thursday by Presidential Special Adviser on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga. Aina will succeed Professor Ishaq Oloyede, whose two-term tenure ends on July 31, 2026.

Aina is a Professor of Computer Engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. He turns 40 in July 2026. His appointment makes him the youngest person ever to serve as JAMB Registrar in the history of the examination body.

Tinubu expressed confidence that Aina will build on Oloyede’s achievements. The Presidency described the incoming registrar as a recognised expert in digital infrastructure, national examination systems, and institutional reforms. It said he brings fresh energy and technical depth to JAMB’s leadership.

“Professor Aina is expected to deploy his experience, technical expertise, and administrative insight to further strengthen the operations and performance of the examination body,” the statement read.

Oloyede’s Legacy

Oloyede transformed JAMB during his tenure. He introduced the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination as a digital, centralised system and drastically reduced examination malpractice. Under his leadership, JAMB remitted over N19 billion to the federal government, reversing years of financial opacity.

However, some critics say JAMB’s admissions process still produces too many complaints from students and parents. Issues around result withholding, institutional cut-off scores, and direct entry confusion remain persistent sources of tension every admission cycle.

Furthermore, Aina’s background in computer engineering positions him to accelerate the digital transformation of JAMB’s operations. His advocates say he will push for artificial intelligence-driven fraud detection in examinations and a more seamless online portal for institutions and students.

Young Technocrats in Government

Aina’s appointment fits a pattern under Tinubu’s administration of placing younger technocrats in key institutions. The President has repeatedly expressed a desire to inject fresh thinking into legacy organisations that have been led by older generations.

In addition, the appointment comes as Nigeria’s education sector faces intense pressure. Over 18 million children are out of school. University admission bottlenecks affect millions annually. JAMB sits at the centre of these challenges, and its leadership matters enormously.

Education stakeholders welcomed the appointment but called for continuity in JAMB’s anti-corruption efforts. They urged Aina to maintain the financial transparency established by Oloyede while using technology to further improve the quality and accessibility of Nigeria’s tertiary admission process.