President Bola Tinubu has announced a major shake-up in Nigeria’s education sector by naming Professor Segun Aina as the new Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to lead the nation’s tertiary admissions body. In a move that signals a clear shift towards youth inclusion and technological drive, the President approved the appointment of the historic New JAMB Registrar on Thursday.
Professor Segun Aina, a 39-year-old academic and digital systems expert, will officially take the helm of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board. He succeeds Professor Is-haq Oloyede, whose successful two-term tenure ends on July 31, 2026.
The transition marks a pivotal moment for Nigerian education. At a time when digital security and efficient testing are critical, the incoming chief brings a wealth of global tech expertise to the table. Turning 40 this July, the newly appointed professor represents a fresh generation of public sector leadership.
Prof. Segun Aina: The Profile of Nigeria’s Youngest Computer Engineering Don
The new JAMB Registrar boasts an impressive academic pedigree that bridges global innovation with local application. Professor Segun Aina earned a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Systems Engineering from the University of Kent.
He then pursued an MSc in Internet Computing and Network Security, followed by a PhD in Digital Signal Processing, both from Loughborough University in the United Kingdom. To sharpen his administrative skills, he also completed the Senior Management Programme at the prestigious Lagos Business School.
His journey with the admissions body is not entirely new. As a Professor of Computer Engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Aina actually began his career with the board during his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) year. This early exposure gave him vital, hands-on experience in national admissions and data-driven institutional processes.
These insights, according to a statement on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, have shaped his ongoing contributions to examination reform and systems optimisation.
Behind the JAMB Appointment
The decision by the presidency highlights a deliberate strategy to place technocrats at the centre of institutional reform. This JAMB appointment is expected to accelerate the digital transformation of Nigeria’s Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) framework.
“With over 15 years of post-graduation experience, Professor Aina operates at the intersection of technology, policy, and institutional transformation, advising federal and state governments on system design, digital transition, and operational reform. At 39, he became one of Nigeria’s youngest Computer Engineering professors and will now make history as JAMB’s youngest registrar.
“He has served as a consultant to major examination bodies, including NECO, NABTEB, and various State Ministries of Education, providing expertise on ICT systems, examination integrity, and digital process optimisation,” the statement said.
Prof. Aina is deeply embedded in the professional engineering community. He holds active memberships in several top bodies, 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).
What President Bola Tinubu Expects from the New Era
The previous leadership set a remarkably high standard for transparency and revenue generation. However, President Bola Tinubu remains confident that the incoming head will elevate the agency to even greater heights through fresh technology.
The presidency has made its expectations clear, demanding swift innovations in data security and testing efficiency. The administration believes that a younger, tech-focused leadership can tackle modern challenges like cyber-fraud and infrastructural gaps across remote examination centres.
“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,” Onanuga added.
With the official handover set for late July, the academic community and millions of prospective tertiary students will watch closely as the new JAMB Registrar steps into this high-pressure role.
