On Thursday, May 21, President Bola Tinubu appointed Professor Segun Aina as the new Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB.
The announcement was made by President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
“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,” Onanuga said.
He explained that Aina is a professor of Computer Engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University with expertise in digital infrastructure, national examination systems, and institutional reforms.
According to him, “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,” he added.
“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.”
Onanuga said Tinubu expressed confidence that Aina would build on the achievements recorded under Oloyede’s administration and further strengthen the operations of the examination body.
“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.”
Prof. Aina will be succeeding Professor Is-haq Oloyede, whose two-term tenure expires on July 31, 2026.
WITHIN NIGERIA findings showed that Aina’s appointment has drawn a lot of attention partly because of his age.
He will turn 40 in July, and his rise through Nigeria’s academic, technology, and public policy sectors has become a thing of public praise and admiration across all segment of the society.
WITHIN NIGERIA took a look at few things about the new JAMB Registrar.
Academic training in United Kingdom
Prof. Segun Aina was born in July, 1986. He has the following academic qualifications under his belt.
B.Eng. (Hons.) Computer Systems Engineering – 2008(from University of Kent).
M.Sc. Internet Computing and Network Security – 2009(Loughborough University, UK).
Ph.D. Electrical Engineering (Signal Processing) – 2015(Loughborough University, UK).
Registered Engineer, Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) – 2017
He returned in Nigeria, where he added a Senior Management Programme certificate from Lagos Business School.
First hand encounter with JAMB
Years before his appointment as registrar, Aina had a firsthand encounter with JAMB, serving as NYSC
He began his professional journey with the board during his National Youth Service Corps posting, and gained early experience in national admissions processes and data-driven institutional management.
The State House said those foundational insights have since shaped his contributions to examination reform and systems optimisation.
Nigerians youngest Computer Engineering professor at 39
At his young age, Aina was appointed Professor of Computer Engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, at the age of 39, making him one of the youngest professors in his field in Nigeria and arguably West Africa.
The promotion he earned was based on his strong research output, leadership roles, and efforts to link academic knowledge with real-world solutions.
With his age, he become JAMB’s youngest-ever registrar.
Prof. Aina’s consultancy work
Having had over 15 years of post-graduation experience, Prof. Aina has worked beyond the lecture hall, providing consultancy services.
His consultancy assignments have spanned public and private sector institutions, which included Job Creation Unit in the Office of the Vice President and several state governments and other establishments.
However, his advisory and consultancy work has focused on system design, digital transition, and operational reform, areas the State House said it expects him to bring to bear at JAMB.
His consultancy with Nigeria’s major examination bodies
Apart from JAMB, Prof. Aina is also familiar with other Nigerian examination bodies like NECO and NABTEB.
He has also given consultancy services to various State Ministries of Education where he provided expertise on ICT systems, examination integrity, and digital process optimisation.
Co-founder of a technology company
Following his rich experience in digital technology, Aina co-founded Fluid Click Solutions Ltd, an IT services and engineering project management company in 2010.
The professional interests of the company spanned through education technology, agriculture, hospitality, capacity building, and technical and vocational education.
His membership of professional engineering bodies
WITHIN NIGERIA equally gathered that Aina is a member of 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.
Findings showed that he has also authored about 30 peer-reviewed journal and conference papers, many of which with international standard.
