JAMB Registrar Seeks Overhaul of Nigeria’s Education System

The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Ishaq Oloyede, has encouraged stakeholders to restructure Nigeria’s education system to lessen the nation’s dependence on foreign aid.

Oloyede made this appeal in Ibadan on Thursday evening while conversing with the media during the 595th Inaugural Lecture at the University of Ibadan, which was presented by Professor Dhikru Adewale Yaboyaju from the Department of Political Science in the Faculty of Social Sciences.

In an interview with journalists, the JAMB registrar underscored that the duty of nurturing a sustainable and thriving Nigeria lies with all citizens. He pointed out that genuine national progress can only be achieved when every Nigerian commits to making significant contributions within their respective areas of influence.

He asserted that Nigeria would not need to heavily rely on foreign assistance if its education system were effectively structured, properly funded, and efficiently managed. “We will keep evolving as long as each Nigerian contributes in their own way,” Oloyede remarked.

He further stated that the nation’s growth and autonomy cannot be maintained through foreign support but must be built on a robust domestic framework—especially through education, which he referred to as the cornerstone of a nation’s advancement.

“Let everyone, in their modest capacity, contribute to the nation’s development,” he urged.

Oloyede also called on policymakers, administrators, educators, and parents to take responsibility for the education system and enhance it to act as a primary engine for Nigeria’s long-term advancement. He emphasized that without a strong and dependable education sector, the country’s dreams of self-sufficiency would remain out of reach.

The registrar’s statements resonate with a wider national dialogue on reestablishing education as a mechanism for sustainable development, particularly in light of Nigeria’s 65 years of independence. Analysts have frequently pointed out that the nation’s heavy dependence on foreign scholarships, partnerships, and assistance reveals fundamental weaknesses domestically.

By promoting reforms and greater stakeholder engagement, Oloyede reaffirmed JAMB’s commitment to endorsing policies and practices that guarantee Nigeria’s education system produces graduates who are competitive on a global scale and capable of driving innovation and progress.

The lecture at the University of Ibadan, which set the stage for his comments, also examined governance, leadership, and the significance of social sciences in tackling Nigeria’s issues.

With this renewed appeal from the JAMB registrar, focus is once again being directed to the pressing necessity for Nigeria to give precedence to education, not just as a sector but as the cornerstone for authentic independence and national transformation.