Former JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oluyede
Since his appointment as Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) on August 6, 2016, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede has led one of the most far-reaching reforms in Nigeria’s education sector.
Reappointed in 2021, his decade-long tenure up to 2026 has been defined by a clear agenda built on technology, transparency, and integrity. Through these pillars, Oloyede repositioned JAMB from a corruption-prone examination body into a more credible, efficient, and globally comparable institution.
Technology-Driven Transformation
One of Oloyede’s most significant achievements was the complete transition to 100% Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). By eliminating paper-based exams, JAMB drastically reduced question leakages and improved result processing speed.
The introduction of biometric verification, including fingerprint and facial recognition, further curtailed impersonation and multiple registrations.To strengthen monitoring, JAMB deployed CCTV surveillance and live supervision across more than 900 accredited CBT centres nationwide.
Candidates also benefited from innovations such as the optional Mock UTME, which helped reduce anxiety about computer-based exams. In addition, the board replaced scratch cards and outdated systems with digital services like USSD payments, e-PINs, e-slips, and e-ticketing, a move that reportedly saved billions of naira and reduced extortion by middlemen.
Admissions Revolution Through CAPS
In 2017, JAMB introduced the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS), a landmark reform that transformed tertiary admissions in Nigeria. CAPS automated the admission process, ensuring that institutions could no longer admit candidates outside JAMB’s official platform. It empowered candidates to accept or reject offers directly from their phones and enforced admission quotas based on merit, catchment areas, and educationally less developed states.
By creating a transparent digital trail, CAPS became the first standardized admission system in Nigeria, restoring confidence in the fairness of university, polytechnic, and college admissions.
Financial Accountability and Integrity*
Before 2016, JAMB was not known as a major revenue-contributing agency. Under Oloyede, however, the board reportedly remitted over N30 billion to the Federal Governmnt within ten years, compared to about N50 million remitted in the previous 38 years. At the same time, the UTME fee was reduced from N5,000 to N3,500 in 2017, making the examination more affordable for candidates.Oloyede also introduced a culture of public accountability by publishing JAMB’s financial records regularly. President Bola Tinubu later described JAMB under his leadership as a consistent contributor to the national treasury.
Inclusion and Anti-Malpractice Measures
Another major aspect of Oloyede’s agenda was the fight against examination malpractice. He consistently described malpractice as a collective war that must be fought by all stakeholders. JAMB strengthened sanctions, improved monitoring, and even discontinued certain practices when they became loopholes for fraud.To promote inclusion, the board established the JAMB Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG), providing free forms, special centres, scribes, and support for persons with disabilities. This was the first structured inclusion framework in JAMB’s history.
In 2026, JAMB also introduced a policy requiring candidates to declare previous admission histories, making it an offence to run two undergraduate programmes simultaneously.
Institutional Expansion and Public Trust
Under Oloyede, JAMB expanded its network to 924 accredited CBT centres across the country. The board also became a trusted service provider for recruitment examinations conducted by agencies such as the Nigeria Police, Customs, and Immigration. The annual policy meeting involving vice-chancellors, rectors, and provosts was institutionalized, making admission guidelines more transparent and publicly debated.
Conclusion
Prof. Ishaq Oloyede’s ten-year leadership fundamentally changed the trajectory of JAMB. By leveraging technology, enforcing transparency, and prioritizing integrity, he transformed the board into what many now regard as a model public institution in Nigeria. Despite challenges such as occasional technical glitches and rural access gaps, his reforms largely ended the era of opaque admissions and widespread examination malpractice, leaving a lasting legacy in Nigeria’s education system.
