From Corps member to Registrar: Tinubu appoints 39-yr-old Segun Aina as new JAMB boss

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Professor Segun Aina as the new Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), marking a major leadership change in Nigeria’s tertiary admissions system ahead of the end of Professor Ishaq Oloyede’s tenure in July 2026.

Aina’s appointment has drawn public attention due to his relatively young age and his unusual career path, rising from a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) participant at JAMB to becoming the institution’s chief executive.

According to the State House, Aina will assume office as the incoming registrar after Oloyede completes his two-term tenure on July 31, 2026.

Early academic foundation in the UK

Aina’s academic journey began in the United Kingdom, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Systems Engineering from the University of Kent in 2008. He later obtained a Master’s degree in Internet Computing and Network Security from Loughborough University in 2009, before completing a PhD in Digital Signal Processing at the same institution.

He also holds a Senior Management Programme certificate from the Lagos Business School.

Career that began at JAMB

Interestingly, Aina’s professional journey began at JAMB during his NYSC service year, giving him early exposure to Nigeria’s admission and examination systems—experience that later shaped his work in education technology and institutional reform.

Officials say this background contributed to his understanding of digital systems used in large-scale examination processes.

One of Nigeria’s youngest professors

At just 39, Aina was appointed Professor of Computer Engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, making him one of the youngest professors in the field in Nigeria.

His promotion was attributed to strong academic output, research achievements, and leadership in applying technology to real-world systems.

Policy and government advisory roles

Beyond academia, Aina has worked extensively with government institutions. He has advised the Office of the Vice President’s Job Creation Unit as well as several state governments, focusing on digital transformation and system reform.

He has also consulted for major examination bodies, including NECO and NABTEB, particularly on ICT integration and examination integrity systems.

Tech entrepreneurship and professional affiliations

In 2010, Aina co-founded Fluid Click Solutions Ltd, a technology and engineering firm involved in education technology, agriculture, hospitality, and technical training solutions.

He is also a member of several professional bodies, including:

• Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN)
• Nigerian Society of Engineers
• Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
• Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)

Academic contributions

Aina has authored about 30 peer-reviewed journal and conference papers, reinforcing his academic reputation in engineering and digital systems.

A new era for JAMB

With his appointment, Aina is set to become the youngest-ever Registrar of JAMB, taking over leadership of one of Nigeria’s most critical education agencies at a time of ongoing reforms in tertiary admissions and digital examination systems.