Nigeria's JAMB leadership transition sparks calls for continuity and highlights exam malpractice

Former Minister of Education Prof. Chinwe Obaji urged the newly appointed registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Prof. Segun Aina, to preserve and build upon the legacy of his predecessor, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede. In a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, Obaji praised the strong foundation Oloyede left over a decade and called for humility, transparency and innovation in the board’s future work.

Separately, former JAMB registrar Prof. Ishaq Oloyede blamed parents, not candidates, for driving examination malpractice in Nigeria. Speaking on ThisDay Live, Oloyede said many parents deliberately involve their children in dishonest practices to secure university admission, describing the phenomenon as the most painful part of his ten‑year tenure. He also dismissed rumours about a “snake swallowed money” incident, noting it pre‑dated his term.