By ADESOLA AYO-ADERELE
Segun Aina, a 39 years old professor of Computer Engineering at OAU, has just been appointed as the new JAMB Registrar, succeeding Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, whose tenure ends on July 31, 2026.
71 years old Oloyede was appointed on August 1, 2016, and it goes without saying that he has discharged his duty admirably.
It was under the leadership of Oloyede that JAMB, founded 48 years ago, was proven to be profitable when the then new registrar remitted a whopping N8 billion to the Federation Account in 2018, and another N5 billion in 2019.
The remittances blew the lid off the hitherto unsuspected sleaze at JAMB under Oloyede’s predecessor, Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, who, along with his four children, is being tried for alleged misappropriation of N5.2 billion as JAMB Registrar.
While we can’t possibly score his tenure as 100% efficient, it is unarguable that Oloyede really did well for JAMB, considering the computerization of the exams, which contributed to the speedy release of results, among others.
According to the statement announcing his appointment, Aina is a professor of Computer Engineering, with expertise in digital infrastructure, national examination systems, and institutional reforms. Great credentials!
It is also commendable that he is very young, probably the youngest individual to hold the position in JAMB’s history. But then, youthfulness is not enough.
In a country where mind-boggling corruption has become the hallmark of public office, Aina would do well to build on the achievements of the outgoing registrar who did not allow JAMB’s formerly underestimated and underreported finances to trap him.
One of the youngest governors that Nigeria has produced in the past decade was not up to 50 years old after his second term in office, yet, he is currently being tried for alleged N80.2 billion fraud during his 8-year tenure.
So, being young can only be an advantage if Aina works to beat the record of Oloyede. And it is possible if he refuses to toe the path of greed that the nation’s public office is notorious for.
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