Segun Aina assumes office as JAMB registrar, vows to protect examination integrity

Professor Segun Aina has formally assumed office as the new Registrar and Chief Executive of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), pledging to strengthen the integrity of the nation’s examination and tertiary admission systems.

Aina assumed office on Friday at JAMB’s headquarters in Bwari, Abuja, succeeding Professor Ishaq Oloyede, whose two-term tenure ended on July 31, 2026.

The new JAMB registrar takes over at a time when the board is expected to deepen the use of technology, strengthen examination security and address emerging challenges affecting the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and admission processes.

President Bola Tinubu appointed Aina as the substantive JAMB registrar on May 21, 2026. The Presidency described him as a distinguished academic and systems expert with experience in national examination systems, digital infrastructure and public-sector institutional reform.

Aina, a professor of computer engineering, became one of Nigeria’s youngest professors in the field at the age of 39. His appointment also makes him the youngest registrar in JAMB’s history. (State House)

In his inaugural address, Aina said his administration would protect the credibility of JAMB examinations and sustain public confidence in the board’s operations.

He pledged to build on existing reforms while introducing additional technology-driven measures to improve examination administration, candidate verification and the security of JAMB’s digital systems.

The new registrar also warned individuals involved in examination malpractice to reconsider their actions, stressing that the board would not allow fraudulent practices to undermine the credibility of its examinations.

According to Aina, those involved in examination malpractice should understand that “their business is in the wrong institution.”

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He said JAMB would continue to invest in modern technology and strengthen its systems to detect and prevent malpractice, including impersonation, identity fraud, unauthorised access to examination platforms and other forms of examination-related misconduct.

Aina added that the board would maintain close collaboration with security agencies and other relevant institutions to investigate and prosecute individuals or groups found to be involved in examination fraud.

The new JAMB registrar said the board would remain committed to ensuring that qualified candidates have fair and transparent access to tertiary education opportunities.

He also pledged to improve the efficiency of JAMB’s registration, examination and admission processes while ensuring that the board’s services remain accessible to candidates across the country.

Aina’s appointment marks a new chapter for JAMB following Oloyede’s 10-year tenure, during which the board expanded the use of technology, strengthened its admission processes and introduced reforms aimed at improving transparency and accountability.

The outgoing registrar was appointed in 2016 and served two terms, overseeing major changes in JAMB’s examination and admission systems. (TheCable)

Aina is expected to consolidate on those reforms while addressing new challenges associated with digital examinations, cybersecurity, examination malpractice and the growing demand for efficient tertiary admission services.

His background in computer engineering and digital systems is expected to support JAMB’s efforts to deploy technology more effectively in examination administration and protect the integrity of the UTME.

Education stakeholders will also be watching how the new leadership improves the experience of candidates, strengthens the credibility of examination results and promotes transparency in admissions into universities, polytechnics, colleges of education and other tertiary institutions.

With his assumption of office, Aina has pledged that JAMB will continue to uphold merit, fairness, accountability and public trust while taking stronger steps to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s tertiary admission system.

Segun Aina assumes office as JAMB registrar, vows to protect examination integrity

BUK, Northwest University students demand prompt payment of NELFUND upkeep allowances

Students of Bayero University Kano (BUK) and Northwest University Kano have called on the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to expedite the payment of outstanding monthly upkeep allowances, saying prolonged delays are affecting their welfare, academic activities and ability to meet essential daily expenses.

The students said many beneficiaries are still awaiting several months of the ₦20,000 NELFUND monthly upkeep allowance, despite assurances that the outstanding payments would be processed.

The appeal comes amid growing concerns among student beneficiaries over delays in the disbursement of upkeep funds, which many depend on for transportation, feeding, accommodation and the purchase of books and other academic materials.

The President of the BUK Students’ Union Government (SUG), Abdulmudalib Kalli-Sherrif, said nearly 30,000 students at the university are benefiting from the NELFUND student loan scheme, which provides support for institutional charges and approved monthly upkeep expenses.

He explained that about four months of unpaid allowances accumulated because of a mismatch between BUK’s academic calendar and NELFUND’s payment schedule after the university’s academic session was extended.

“About four months’ backlog was created due to the mismatch of the calendars of BUK and NELFUND, which extended the session. NELFUND has updated its system and assured us that students will receive the outstanding allowances soon,” Kalli-Sherrif said.

He added that some beneficiaries had started receiving payments, with students in Batch A recently credited with ₦20,000, while others were still waiting for their outstanding allowances.

Kalli-Sherrif commended the Federal Government for introducing the NELFUND student loan programme, describing it as an important intervention that has reduced the financial burden of higher education for many students and their families.

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At Northwest University Kano, beneficiaries also expressed concern over delays in the payment of their upkeep allowances and appealed for a more reliable and transparent disbursement process.

A beneficiary and Building Technology student, Haruna Sani, said he recently received ₦20,000 but was still expecting payments for about two months.

“I received ₦20,000 last week, but I am still expecting payment for about two months. We were assured that the outstanding allowance may be paid soon,” he said.

Haruna urged NELFUND and relevant authorities to consider a more flexible arrangement for tuition support, especially for students who paid their institutional charges before their loan applications were approved.

He noted that some students who used personal or family funds to pay their fees before benefiting from the scheme were still waiting for refunds.

Another beneficiary, Hussaina Bashir of the Department of Educational Foundations, said delayed upkeep payments had made it difficult for some students to buy textbooks, course materials and other essential academic resources.

She appealed to NELFUND to ensure that approved allowances are released promptly and consistently so students can plan their academic and personal expenses.

The spokesperson for the Northwest University Kano SUG, Umar Ibrahim, said the union had received complaints from beneficiaries across different faculties.

He said the delayed payments were affecting not only students but also small businesses operating around the university, as many students had less money available for food, transportation and other daily needs.

Ibrahim called for the immediate payment of outstanding allowances and urged the Federal Government to review the ₦20,000 monthly upkeep stipend in view of rising living and transportation costs.

The Dean of Student Affairs at Northwest University Kano, Ibrahim Musa, confirmed that the institution had received complaints from students but clarified that the university does not disburse the allowances.

According to him, NELFUND pays approved upkeep funds directly into beneficiaries’ bank accounts, while the university may only become aware of successful payments after students receive transaction alerts.

Musa said the institution had engaged relevant authorities over the complaints and was informed that the delays were linked to the release and processing of funds for onward disbursement.

The development has renewed calls for stronger coordination between NELFUND, tertiary institutions and relevant government agencies to ensure that approved student loans, upkeep allowances and tuition-related refunds are processed without unnecessary delays.

Parents of beneficiaries have also welcomed the student loan initiative but expressed concern that delayed upkeep payments and refunds could place additional financial pressure on families.

One parent, Zulai Abubakar, said many families borrowed money or made significant sacrifices to pay school fees before their children were approved for the NELFUND loan.

She urged tertiary institutions to process refunds promptly after receiving institutional payments from the Fund.

Another parent, Muyideen Akorede, described the programme as a commendable intervention but warned that prolonged delays in refunds and upkeep payments could weaken public confidence in the scheme.

Fatima Sani, also a parent, said many students depend on the monthly allowance for transportation, feeding and the purchase of academic materials, adding that delayed payments could affect their ability to participate fully in academic activities.

The NELFUND student loan scheme was introduced to expand access to higher education by providing eligible Nigerian students with financial support for institutional charges and approved living expenses.

Students and parents are now urging NELFUND to improve communication with beneficiaries, provide clearer payment timelines and ensure that outstanding allowances are cleared promptly.

They said timely and predictable disbursement would reduce financial pressure on students and families, support academic participation and strengthen confidence in the government’s efforts to make higher education more accessible and affordable.

BUK, Northwest University students demand prompt payment of NELFUND upkeep allowances