The newly appointed Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Segun Aina, has unveiled an ambitious five-pillar development agenda aimed at ushering the examination body into a new digital era while consolidating the reforms and institutional gains recorded over the past decade.

Aina, who officially assumed office following the expiration of the two-term tenure of his predecessor, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, said the blueprint would position JAMB as Africa’s most trusted, innovative and accessible assessment and admissions institution.

Speaking on his first day in office, Aina described his appointment as “a homecoming and a solemn responsibility”, pledging to strengthen the Board through innovation, stronger institutional systems and improved service delivery.

The new Registrar was appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and formally took over the leadership of the Board during a handover ceremony held at JAMB headquarters in Bwari, Abuja, on Friday.

Presenting his strategic blueprint titled “JAMB 2031: Building Trust, Reducing Trauma,” on Monday, Aina said the five-year roadmap (2026–2031) is built around Project 2:5:7—two strategic objectives, five enduring pillars and seven flagship initiatives designed to transform the Board into a globally respected institution driven by technology, integrity and stakeholder confidence.

According to him, the agenda is anchored on JAMB’s statutory mandate of providing fair, credible, secure and equitable access to tertiary education through transparent registration, credible assessments and merit-based placement of qualified candidates.

He said his administration would focus on building systems that endure beyond individuals while ensuring that integrity, innovation and public trust remain the pillars of the Board’s operations.

The Acting Director of Public Affairs and Protocol, Dr Fabian Benjamin, said in a statement issued in Abuja that the first pillar, Integrity—the Foundation—seeks to strengthen institutional credibility through internationally recognised standards, including ISO 27001 Information Security Certification, independent technology reviews and verifiable systems that promote transparency and accountability.

Under the second pillar, Service—the Heart—the Board plans to transform customer experience through responsive service delivery, transparent communication, proactive stakeholder engagement and continuous improvement in its interactions with candidates, parents, institutions and the general public.

The third pillar, Governance—the Framework—is aimed at enhancing institutional governance through stronger performance monitoring, improved contract management, operational resilience and greater internal accountability.

Aina said the fourth pillar, Technology—the Enabler—would consolidate and expand JAMB’s in-house digital infrastructure by deploying scalable platforms to support mobile services, web applications, printing systems, artificial intelligence and data analytics, thereby improving decision-making and service delivery.

Recognising the importance of collaboration, the new JAMB Registrar said the fifth pillar, Partnerships—the Multiplier—would deepen engagement with banks, fintech companies, educational organisations and international partners to promote innovation, strengthen service delivery and expand opportunities for stakeholders.

To drive the implementation of the agenda, the Registrar announced seven flagship initiatives to be executed over the next five years.

He listed the initiatives as a comprehensive independent technology review of JAMB’s infrastructure; attainment of ISO 27001 Information Security Certification; development of a unified JAMB mobile application; strategic communication and brand repositioning; establishment of a unified customer service platform; implementation of a paperless, enterprise-wide digital administration system; and enhanced staff welfare and capacity development.

Aina said the initiatives were expected to make the Board more digitally integrated, secure, efficient and responsive while boosting public confidence in its operations.

He stressed that although technology would remain central to JAMB’s transformation agenda, people would continue to be the institution’s greatest asset.

“Every registration represents the aspirations of a young Nigerian and the sacrifices of parents and guardians,” he said, assuring candidates and other stakeholders that his administration would simplify processes, improve communication and uphold fairness, transparency and integrity in all aspects of the Board’s operations.

He also urged members of staff to embrace innovation, professionalism and teamwork, noting that enduring institutions are built by people united by shared values and a common purpose.

The Registrar reaffirmed his commitment to building stronger institutional systems that would outlive individuals, deepen public trust and establish JAMB as a global benchmark in technology-driven examination and admissions administration. (Nigerian Tribune)