By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, the outgoing registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, on Friday, said strong institutions built on integrity, technology and transparency remained the key to sustaining public confidence in the tertiary admissions system.

Mr Oloyede stated this during the handover ceremony to his successor, Prof. Segun Aina, in Abuja, where he reflected on his 10-year stewardship and expressed confidence in the board’s future.

He said the board’s achievements were anchored on five cardinal principles: staff welfare, discipline, technology, transparency and networking, which guided reforms that strengthened the credibility of JAMB’s operations.

He added that staff welfare received unprecedented attention during his tenure through improved working conditions, rehabilitation and construction of office facilities across the country, and enhanced retirement benefits.

He said, “When I stood at the threshold of this national assignment 10 years ago, I understood the depth of the responsibility placed on me.

“I knew the privilege and burden of stewarding a process that opens the doors to millions of Nigerians.

“One thing I remembered clearly was that I was just like a general on a military expedition and to fight, I needed officers and troops.”

Recounting his achievements, Mr Oloyede disclosed that the board committed more than N8 billion to strengthen employees’ retirement savings and financial security.

He added that the board under his leadership also introduced a 13th-month salary, increased examination-duty incentives from 10 per cent to 20 per cent and provided daily meals for staff.

The outgoing registrar said that retired workers received benefits ranging from N3 million to N10 million, while medical interventions and performance-based rewards were also introduced to boost staff morale.

Mr Oloyede, however, stressed that improved welfare did not diminish the board’s commitment to discipline.

He said more than 10 members of staff faced prosecution over various allegations of misconduct, noting that accountability remained non-negotiable in preserving the institution’s integrity.

Highlighting JAMB’s technological reforms, Mr Oloyede said the board expanded the use of biometrics, digital verification, CCTV surveillance, electronic payment platforms and remote monitoring systems to improve examination security and service delivery.

“I share the belief that we must all suffer for either the pain of discipline or the pain of regret or disappointment. This is why discipline is incontestable as a cardinal principle of JAMB operations, and that accounts for the well-known remittances of scores of billions in operational surpluses to the government treasury.

“At the heart of our operational blueprint is technology, and we owe many of our far-reaching reforms to innovative technologies.

“Scaling up of computer-based test (CBT), improvement of digital architecture, creating a central admissions processing system (CAPS), advanced biometric and identity verification, CCTV monitoring, and others are some of the steps taken to make our operations seamless on rock-solid integrity,” he said.

He acknowledged that technology was not infallible, recalling recent operational challenges, but maintained that continuous innovation and internal vigilance remained essential.

He also said that transparency was institutionalised by publishing the board’s operational and financial activities and making the admission process more open and accountable.

According to him, the reforms have significantly reduced arbitrary admissions and strengthened public trust in the board.

Mr Oloyede also attributed some of JAMB’s achievements to collaboration with security agencies, tertiary institutions, the National Identity Management Commission, communications regulators, civil society organisations, the media and more than 1,000 accredited CBT centres.

He said the board had modernised its operations, reduced examination malpractice, strengthened accountability and restored confidence in Nigeria’s admission process.

“We made mistakes because we are human, and we corrected them. Whatever was done right was a collective effort, while I accept responsibility for whatever fell short,” he said.

He expressed confidence that the board’s institutional culture, dedicated workforce and robust systems would enable his successor to consolidate on the reforms.

He urged stakeholders to support the new registrar, saying the success of any institution depended not on an individual but on the strength of its systems and values.

In his inaugural address, the new Registrar, Mr Aina, pledged to preserve JAMB’s integrity while building a stronger institution driven by professionalism and accountability.

Coordinator, Comrade Musa Mujahid Zaitawa, has lodged a formal complaint with Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, requesting the urgent establishment of a military barracks in Northern Kano, particularly in communities along the Kano-Katsina border.

This was contained in a statement signed by the National Coordinator and issued to the press.

Comrade Zaitawa said the request follows publicized security threats in the area, including threats attributed to a notorious bandit leader, Kachalla Maha, who was reported to have threatened to infiltrate parts of Kano State.

“Establishing a forward military base in this corridor will strengthen the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and our security agencies to deter criminal activity, improve response time, and protect farming communities and travelers,” Comrade Zaitawa said.

The group also expressed concern about the political environment ahead of the 2027 elections. In the statement, the group said it has observed activities that it believes could undermine peaceful elections in Kano if not addressed. It called on the Presidency, the Office of the National Security Adviser, the National Assembly, and security agencies to ensure that all political actors and security personnel operate within the law and remain neutral.

The Arewa Youths Merger Group further noted an incident involving the arrest of its spokesperson, Mustapha Dan Muhammad, by security operatives. The group called for due process and respect for the rights of citizens and civic groups.

The group reaffirmed its commitment to supporting peace and democracy. It said it is engaged in voter education, campaigns against thuggery and drug abuse, and youth empowerment through skills training in Kano.

“We support the federal and Kano State governments in their efforts to secure the state. We urge all stakeholders to ensure a level playing field and a peaceful electoral process in 2027,” the statement added.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The director-general of the World Trade Organisation, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has urged the Nigerian government to be careful about borrowing and managing the country’s debt, saying economic reforms must improve the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

She also called on the government to sustain ongoing reforms while creating more jobs and economic opportunities for the country’s growing youth population.

Mrs Okonjo-Iweala spoke on Wednesday at the seventh Africa Emerging Markets Forum in Abuja.

Commending the Central Bank of Nigeria for its monetary and foreign exchange reforms, Ms Okonjo-Iweala urged Nigeria to continue broader economic reforms while remaining disciplined in managing its finances.

“Nigeria needs to continue the work on overall macroeconomic reforms with a careful approach to fiscal issues, contracting of debt and debt management,” the WTO chief stated.

According to the latest data from the Debt Management Office, Nigeria’s total public debt stood at N159.28 trillion at the end of December 2025, rising by N14.61 trillion, or 10.10 per cent, from N144.67 trillion recorded at the end of 2024. The figure covers the debt owed by the federal government, the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The government is also expected to continue borrowing this year to finance its 2026 budget deficit.

Mrs Okonjo-Iweala said the success of Nigeria’s reforms should not be measured only by improvements in economic indicators. Instead, she said Nigerians must begin to experience better living conditions through more jobs and opportunities.

“Above all, Nigeria needs to focus on creating jobs and economic opportunities for a young and hungry population. Nigerians have to feel the dividends of reform in the real economy,” noted the WTO chief.

Nigeria has one of the world’s youngest populations, with millions of young people joining the labour market every year. However, many struggle to find decent jobs, making employment one of the biggest economic challenges in the country.

Since President Bola Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, his administration has introduced major reforms, including the removal of petrol subsidy and the liberalisation of the foreign exchange market.

The policies have pushed up the cost of living, with many Nigerians facing higher prices for food, transport and other essentials. Although inflation has slowed in recent months, prices remain high.

The National Bureau of Statistics said Nigeria’s headline inflation rate eased slightly to 15.91 per cent in June 2026 from 15.93 per cent in May. Food inflation, however, increased to 17.52 per cent, showing that many households are still paying more for basic food items.

For opportunities, Ms Okonjo-Iweala said countries that maintain stable economic policies and improve their business environment will be better placed to benefit from changes in global trade.

She noted that companies are increasingly looking for new places to invest and diversify their supply chains, creating opportunities for countries that can offer stability and predictable policies and urged Nigeria to continue strengthening its economy so it can attract long-term investment and create more jobs for its people.