President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Professor Segun Aina as the new Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), ushering in a new era for Nigeria’s tertiary admissions system as the board prepares for a leadership transition after nearly a decade under Professor Is-haq Oloyede.
The appointment, announced on Thursday, comes ahead of the expiration of Oloyede’s two-term tenure on July 31, 2026.
At 39, and set to turn 40 in July, Aina is poised to make history as the youngest Registrar ever appointed to lead JAMB, one of Nigeria’s most influential educational institutions.
The presidency described him as a distinguished academic and systems expert with extensive experience spanning examination administration, digital infrastructure, and institutional reform within the public sector.
The appointment signals what observers may view as a strategic move by the Tinubu administration to strengthen technology-driven reforms and deepen efficiency across critical public institutions.
Professor Aina brings an academic profile rooted strongly in engineering and information technology. He earned a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Computer Systems Engineering from the University of Kent in the United Kingdom before proceeding to Loughborough University, where he obtained a Master of Science degree in Internet Computing and Network Security, as well as a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Digital Signal Processing.
He also attended the Senior Management Programme at Lagos Business School, adding leadership and executive management training to his academic credentials.
Currently a Professor of Computer Engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Aina has built a reputation around technology systems, institutional innovation, and digital transformation.
His relationship with JAMB, according to information released by the presidency, began years ago during his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme, where he served within the examination body and gained early exposure to the complexities of national admissions processes.
That experience, officials say, laid the foundation for his later involvement in examination reforms and technology-based optimisation of institutional systems.
Over the past 15 years, Aina has worked at the intersection of policy, technology, and governance, advising federal and state governments on digital transition programmes, systems architecture, and institutional restructuring.
His rise in academia has also been remarkable. At 39, he became one of Nigeria’s youngest professors in Computer Engineering, a feat that further underscores his rapid professional trajectory.
Beyond academia, he has also served as consultant to several examination and educational agencies, including the National Examinations Council (NECO), the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), and various state ministries of education.
His work in these capacities focused on information and communication technology systems, examination integrity, and digital process improvement.
Aina is also affiliated with several professional organisations, 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 said President Tinubu expects the incoming registrar to deploy his expertise and practical experience in strengthening JAMB and consolidating the achievements recorded under Oloyede’s administration.
“President Tinubu expects Professor Aina to bring to bear his vast experience, knowledge and practical insight into the operations of the Board, to take the critical educational organisation beyond the laudable heights achieved by his predecessor,” presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said in a statement.
Aina’s appointment now places attention on the future direction of JAMB, particularly as technology continues to reshape educational assessment systems worldwide.
As one chapter closes with Oloyede’s departure, another opens with a younger technocrat stepping into one of the most demanding positions in Nigeria’s education sector — carrying expectations not only to sustain reforms, but also to redefine how admissions and examinations are managed in a rapidly evolving digital age.
