By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Professor Segun Aina as the new Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, succeeding Professor Ishaq Oloyede, whose tenure expires on July 31, 2026.

The appointment was announced in a statement issued on Thursday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

According to the statement, Aina is a professor of Computer Engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, with expertise in digital infrastructure, national examination systems and institutional reforms.

“Professor Aina, who will be 40 in July, is a distinguished academic and systems expert with extensive experience in national examination systems, digital infrastructure, and public-sector institutional reform.

“He holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Systems Engineering from the University of Kent, an MSc in Internet Computing and Network Security, and a PhD in Digital Signal Processing, both from Loughborough University, United Kingdom. He has also completed the Senior Management Programme at Lagos Business School,” the statement read.

The statement added that Aina has over 15 years of professional experience advising federal and state governments on digital transition, institutional reforms and system design.

It also described him as one of Nigeria’s youngest professors in Computer Engineering, noting that he would become the youngest registrar in JAMB’s history.

The Presidency said Aina had previously worked as a consultant to examination bodies, including the National Examinations Council and the National Business and Technical Examinations Board on ICT systems and examination integrity.

“He is also a member of professional organisations, including the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, the Nigerian Society of Engineers, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and the Institution of Engineering and Technology,” the statement added.

Tinubu expressed confidence that the new registrar would build on the achievements recorded under Oloyede’s administration.

“President Tinubu expects Professor Aina to bring to bear his vast experience, knowledge and practical insight into the operations of the Board, to take the critical educational organisation beyond the laudable heights achieved by his predecessor,” the statement added.

There were celebrations on Wednesday as Dangote Cement Plc flagged off three multi-million-naira empowerment programmes for farmers, women and youths in its six host communities in Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State.

Women sang and danced, farmers applauded and youth groups cheered as the company announced a new round of support aimed at helping beneficiaries expand their businesses, improve agricultural productivity and acquire vocational skills.

The programme will benefit residents of Tse-Kucha, Quarry, Amua, Mbazembe, Mbatur and Pass Brothers communities in Benue State.

Under the scheme, 150 women will receive cash grants to support their businesses, 52 farmers will be provided with agricultural inputs, and 30 young people will undergo skills development training.

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, commended the Dangote Group for the new feat, and sustained investments in the development of its host communities.

Represented at the event by Mrs. Usman Adijatu, the minister said the Federal Government is proud of the significant social and economic contributions of Dangote Cement Plc in Benue State and across Nigeria.

He noted that the company’s community-focused interventions complement the government’s efforts to promote inclusive growth, reduce poverty and create sustainable livelihoods in mining and industrial host communities.
Dr. Alake urged the beneficiaries to make prudent and productive use of the agricultural inputs, cash grants and vocational training opportunities provided by Dangote Cement, stressing that the support should serve as a springboard for long-term economic empowerment and self-reliance.

Also speaking, the Head of Social Performance, Pan-African Operations, at Dangote Cement Plc, Mr. Wakeel Olayiwola, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to implementing Corporate Social Responsibility programmes, developed jointly by the company, government and host communities under the Community Development Agreement(CDA)framework.

He described the six host communities as peaceful and supportive, and urged them to sustain the harmonious relationship that has enabled the successful implementation of numerous development programmes.

Mr. Olayiwola also commended members of the CDA Consultative Committee for conducting a transparent and credible beneficiary selection process, noting that their diligence had helped ensure that the interventions reached deserving members of the communities.

The Plant Director of Dangote Cement, Gboko Plant, Engr. Abhijit Dutta, said the initiative is part of the company’s efforts to improve livelihoods in communities where it operates.

He said the company sees its host communities as partners and believes business growth should go hand in hand with community development.

“Our host communities are not just neighbours; they are valued partners in progress,” he said.

Mr. Dutta said the programme is part of a five-year Community Development Agreement (CDA) that began in 2025 and is intended to ensure that all six communities benefit from the company’s social investment programmes.

He said the interventions were designed to promote self-reliance, reduce poverty and create sustainable economic opportunities.

According to him, the company will also launch a scholarship scheme for students from the host communities in the coming months.

Mr. Dutta said the President and Chief Executive of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, is committed to improving the welfare of communities hosting the Group’s operations.

He noted that more than 230 people benefitted from similar programmes last year and said the company plans to continue the initiative throughout the duration of the current CDA.

Mr. Dutta also said several projects under the agreement are already in progress and that all outstanding projects are expected to be completed this year.

He urged beneficiaries to use the support responsibly, especially the women receiving cash grants, and to invest the funds in their businesses.

The company thanked community leaders, traditional rulers and youth groups for maintaining peaceful relations with the plant, saying continued cooperation would help sustain development and shared prosperity in the area.

The Head of Social Performance at Dangote Cement Plc, Dr. Johnson Kor, said the company operates a broad range of community development and empowerment initiatives designed to enhance the socio-economic wellbeing of its host communities.

Also speaking at the event, the paramount ruler of the Gboko communities, the Ter Gboko, HRH Gabriel Shosum, praised Dangote Cement for its sustained commitment to the welfare and development of his people, describing the company’s interventions as both impactful and commendable.

He assured the company of the continued goodwill and cooperation of the host communities, noting that they would remain strong ambassadors of Dangote Cement.

The royal father also urged community members to maintain peace and continue supporting the company so that they can derive even greater benefits from its social investment initiatives.

The company had said earlier that the selected youths will be trained by the Industrial Training Fund(ITF).

Families in Kano State have turned out in large numbers to participate in a digital birth registration exercise organised by the National Population Commission (NPC) in partnership with UNICEF.

The initiative, supported by the Government of the Netherlands and implemented in collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and ALGON, aims to provide legal identity for children, particularly in hard-to-reach and underserved communities.

Speaking during an exercise in Wasarde Birgima community, Joda Ward, Gabasawa Local Government Area, Abba Hussaini, focal person for Under-One Birth registration, described the turnout as “highly encouraging.

“Over 626 children were registered in the community alone, adding that the target for the area is 1,100 and 12,000 for the entire local government,” he explained.

Hussaini commended UNICEF for technical support, training of personnel, and provision of registration equipment, and highlighted the role of traditional and religious leaders in mobilizing families.

Also speaking, Bashir Aminu Dambazau of NPC said the digital system has simplified registration by enabling instant issuance of birth certificates, improving data management, and ensuring children are documented immediately.

He explained that the digital registration system is helping to improve documentation and data management while ensuring that children receive certificates immediately after registration.

Hussaina Ahmad, 20, who brought her eight-month-old daughter, Aisha, after missing the previous exercise in September 2025, said that she was only two weeks into motherhood then.

According to Hussaina, her husband, a commercial motorcycle operator, learned about the exercise from the village head and informed her.

“I don’t know my own birth date and I want my children to have an identity from the start.” She said

She explained that the registration was essential for school enrollment and other future benefits.

“I didn’t attend school, and neither did my parents, but I want my child to go to school and become influential in the community. Every child deserves this,” she added.

Hussaina noted that she would return to her community to educate other parents about the importance of early registration, praising the organisations bringing the service closer to families.

Similarly, 19-year-old Kaltume Ali of Unguwar Tsakiya brought her four-month-old son, Musa, said community awareness campaigns helped her realise that children without birth certificates often face barriers to healthcare, education, social protection, and other opportunities.

“My husband first heard about the registration from the village head and encouraged me to enrol our child. Neither of us has a national identity card, but we were told we could use his brother’s NIMC card. I don’t want my only son to miss out on opportunities,” she said.

Also participating was 20-year-old Asmau Sagir of Unguwar Yamma, who brought her seven-month-old son, Abdulrahman , said birth registration to safeguard children’s identity and future.

Sagir noted that digital registration helps families avoid challenges later, particularly with school enrollment and access to government services.