By Oscar Okhifo
The Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Finance and member representing Bida/Gbako/Katcha Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Saidu Musa Abdullahi (Gwarzon Nupe), has commended Emeritus Professor Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede for his decade-long service as Registrar and Chief Executive of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
In a statement on Thursday, Abdullahi said Oloyede’s 10-year stewardship of JAMB was marked by reforms that strengthened the institution, improved accountability and enhanced the credibility of its examination processes.
He particularly commended Oloyede for consolidating the use of Computer-Based Testing (CBT) in large-scale examinations, saying the development had positioned JAMB as a reference point in examination administration in Nigeria and beyond.
Abdullahi said Oloyede’s achievements at JAMB should also be viewed against the background of his extensive record of service in academia, administration and national development.
“His achievement at JAMB is even more remarkable when viewed against the background of his long and distinguished record of service before joining the Board,” the lawmaker said.
He recalled that Oloyede, an accomplished scholar and administrator, served the University of Ilorin in several capacities, including Director of Academic Planning and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, before becoming Vice-Chancellor from 2007 to 2012.
He noted that Oloyede also held significant national and international responsibilities, including leadership roles within the Association of African Universities, as well as service through the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council and the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs.
According to Abdullahi, Oloyede brought his wealth of experience to JAMB in 2016 and contributed significantly to the modernisation of examination administration and improvement of service delivery during his tenure.
The lawmaker said the completion of Oloyede’s tenure should be regarded as the end of an assignment rather than the end of his contribution to the country.
“His ten years at JAMB therefore represent not merely the completion of an administrative tenure, but another important chapter in a long record of dedicated service to Nigeria.
“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.
Abdullahi urged the Federal Government to continue to draw on Oloyede’s expertise and experience in areas where they could contribute to national development.
He said Oloyede’s background in education, administration and institutional management remained valuable to the country beyond his tenure at JAMB.
The lawmaker also stressed the importance of retaining the services of experienced public servants with proven institutional knowledge whenever their expertise could contribute to nation-building.
He wished Oloyede continued good health and many more years of service to humanity and Nigeria.
Oloyede’s next engagement after leaving JAMB remains unclear, although Abdullahi said his experience and institutional knowledge would remain valuable to the country.
The lawmaker’s commendation comes as Oloyede concludes a decade at the helm of JAMB, adding another chapter to a career spanning academia, public administration and national service.