…prof Segun Aina unveils plans to reduce bottlenecks, strengthen UTME and rebuild public confidence
Favour Ishember, Abuja
The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Segun Aina, has pledged to place candidates at the centre of the board’s operations as his administration begins deeper reforms to improve service delivery and strengthen public confidence.
Aina, who marked his first three months as the sixth Registrar of JAMB, said the period had provided an opportunity to understand existing challenges, address operational gaps and begin implementing measures aimed at improving the experience of millions of Nigerians who depend on the board’s services.
He said his administration adopted a candidate-focused roadmap, with a commitment to deploy available human resources and technology to reduce difficulties faced by applicants, protect the credibility of JAMB’s processes and deepen trust in the institution.
The registrar expressed appreciation to his predecessor, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, for the guidance and insights that helped him understand the workings of the institution, while also thanking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the Minister of Education and the Minister of State for Education for their support.
Aina also acknowledged the commitment of JAMB management and staff, tertiary institutions, regulatory agencies, professional associations, Computer-Based Test (CBT) centre operators, security agencies, the media and other partners, describing their cooperation as crucial to the progress recorded so far.
He said one of the major achievements of his administration was the intervention to resolve long-standing admission challenges affecting candidates whose academic pursuits had been delayed by admission record errors, NIN-related discrepancies and other administrative issues.
Aina disclosed that through targeted measures, especially the NIN alignment initiative, thousands of affected candidates had been assisted in overcoming challenges that previously kept them trapped in lengthy verification and resolution processes.
He described the intervention as a demonstration of the essence of public service, saying government institutions should prioritize identifying problems, providing solutions, and improving citizens’ lives.
The JAMB registrar revealed that the board received 52,517 customer service complaints within the period under review and successfully resolved 50,370 cases.
He added that he cleared more than 5,000 pending customer service requests within his first five days in office, stressing that every complaint represented a candidate, parent, or stakeholder seeking assistance.
Aina said the next stage of his reform agenda would focus on making the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) more meaningful, simplifying admission procedures for institutions and making access to JAMB services easier for the public.
He stated that technology would remain a major driver of the reforms, with plans to expand digital services, reduce unnecessary physical visits to offices and improve the reliability, security and efficiency of the board’s platforms.
The registrar assured stakeholders that JAMB would continue to strengthen partnerships, promote transparency, fairness and accountability while ensuring that legitimate interests of its partners receive proper attention.
He announced that preparations for the 2027 UTME would include new innovations aimed at improving examination processes, removing avoidable challenges and further protecting the integrity of public examinations in Nigeria.
Aina commended JAMB staff for their dedication and commitment, urging them to continue embracing innovation and prioritising effective service delivery above routine administrative practices.
He assured candidates that they remained the foundation of JAMB’s mission, promising a system where applicants would be treated with dignity, fairness, empathy and prompt attention.
The registrar said JAMB would also pursue reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s admission processes and assessment framework in line with global standards by promoting critical thinking, practical abilities and skills needed in today’s labour market.
Aina said the board was working towards moving away from an examination system dominated by memorisation to one that rewards intellectual ability, problem-solving skills and competencies required for success in a changing world.
He stressed that his administration’s goal was to build a credible and sustainable institution based on strong systems, effective partnerships and accountable leadership rather than depending on the personality of any individual occupying the registrar’s office.
Aina said the first quarter of his tenure had helped the board identify challenges, consolidate existing strengths and establish a foundation for wider reforms.
He expressed confidence that the combined efforts of staff, educational institutions, service providers, candidates and the general public would help create a more efficient and responsive examination and admission system capable of serving Nigeria better.
