By Mercy Aikoye
The Federal Government has been urged to continue to tap into the wealth of experience of Emeritus Professor Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede following the completion of his 10-year tenure as Registrar and Chief Executive of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
The call was made by the Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Finance and member representing Bida/Gbako/Katcha Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Saidu Musa Abdullahi (Gwarzon Nupe), who described Oloyede’s decade at JAMB as a period of significant institutional transformation.
In a statement on Thursday, Abdullahi said Oloyede’s leadership was characterised by integrity, accountability, administrative reforms and improved service delivery.
According to him, Oloyede played a major role in strengthening and institutionalising Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for large-scale examinations, making JAMB a reference point for examination bodies in Nigeria and across Africa.
The lawmaker said Oloyede’s achievements at JAMB were a continuation of his long record of distinguished service in academia and public administration.
Abdullahi recalled that Oloyede served the University of Ilorin in various capacities, including Director of Academic Planning and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, before becoming Vice-Chancellor of the institution between 2007 and 2012.
He also noted that the former JAMB Registrar had undertaken several national and international responsibilities, including leadership roles in the Association of African Universities, the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council and the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs.
The lawmaker said Oloyede brought his extensive administrative and academic experience to JAMB in 2016, where he contributed to the modernisation of examination administration and the improvement of the board’s operations.
Abdullahi stressed that the end of Oloyede’s tenure at JAMB should not signal the end of his contribution to national development.
“While his tenure at JAMB has ended, I believe it is not yet time for Professor Oloyede to bow out of service to his fatherland. His wealth of experience, institutional knowledge and record of public service remain valuable national assets,” he said.
He therefore urged the Federal Government to continue to engage Oloyede’s expertise in areas where his experience could contribute to national development.
Abdullahi congratulated the former JAMB Registrar on the completion of his tenure and wished him continued good health and many more years of service to humanity and Nigeria.
