🔥 Trending Who is Ishaq Oloyede and what is his role at JAMB?

Ishaq Olanrewade Oloyede is a prominent Nigerian academic, administrator, and professor of Islamic Studies. He is widely recognized for his significant contributions to education in Nigeria, particularly in his role as the Registrar and Chief Executive of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

Early Life and Education

Born in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria, in 1954, Professor Oloyede embarked on a distinguished academic journey. He attended Arabic Training Centre (Markaz) Agege, Lagos, from 1969 to 1973, where he obtained his Certificate in Arabic and Islamic Studies. He then proceeded to the University of Ibadan, where he earned a Diploma in Arabic and Islamic Studies in 1976.

His pursuit of higher education led him to the University of Ilorin, where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in Arabic and Islamic Studies in 1978. He continued his studies at the same institution, earning his Master's degree in Islamic Studies in 1982 and a Ph.D. in Islamic Studies in 1991.

Academic Career

Professor Oloyede's academic career at the University of Ilorin spanned several decades, during which he held various important positions:

• Assistant Lecturer: 1982
• Lecturer II: 1985
• Lecturer I: 1988
• Senior Lecturer: 1990
• Reader (Associate Professor): 1994
• Professor of Islamic Studies: 1998

He served as the Head of the Department of Religions for several terms and was also the Dean of the Faculty of Arts. His academic prowess and administrative acumen were further recognized when he was appointed the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, a position he held from 2007 to 2012. During his tenure, the university experienced significant growth and stability.

Registrar of JAMB

Professor Oloyede's most impactful role, and the one for which he is currently most known, is as the Registrar and Chief Executive of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). He was first appointed to this position in 2016 by President Muhammadu Buhari and was reappointed for a second term in 2021.

Under his leadership, JAMB has undergone significant reforms aimed at enhancing the integrity, transparency, and efficiency of the university admission process in Nigeria. Some key achievements and initiatives include:

• Combating Examination Malpractice: Oloyede has been at the forefront of introducing advanced technologies and stricter measures to curb examination malpractice, including the use of biometric verification and Computer-Based Test (CBT) centers.
• Financial Prudence and Remittances: JAMB, under his leadership, has consistently remitted unprecedented amounts of surplus funds to the federal government's coffers, a stark contrast to previous administrations. This has been attributed to his stringent financial management and elimination of wastages and corruption. For instance, in 2017, JAMB remitted ₦5.2 billion to the government, a figure significantly higher than the cumulative remittances of all previous registrars combined since the board's inception [1].
• Introduction of CAPS (Central Admission Processing System): This system aims to streamline the admission process, making it more transparent and reducing opportunities for corruption and manipulation.
• Policy Reforms: He has overseen several policy changes aimed at making the admission process fairer and more equitable for all candidates.

Why He is Currently in the News

Professor Oloyede frequently appears in the news due to his ongoing efforts to reform the Nigerian education system, particularly concerning university admissions. His pronouncements on JAMB policies, his fight against examination fraud, and the impressive financial remittances of JAMB continue to be topics of public discourse and media attention. His commitment to sanitizing the examination system has earned him both praise and criticism, but he remains a steadfast figure in Nigeria's educational landscape.

References:

[1] "JAMB Registrar, Oloyede, remits N5.2bn to FG," Premium Times, August 28, 2017. (Note: Specific year and amount may vary in subsequent reports, but the trend of high remittances is consistent).