Meet Segun Aina, 39-year-old Professor appointed new JAMB registrar

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Segun Aina as the new Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), making him the youngest person ever to occupy the position.

Aina, who succeeds Is-haq Oloyede, will officially assume office after the expiration of Oloyede’s two-term tenure on July 31, 2026. The new appointee is expected to turn 40 in July.

The appointment was confirmed in a statement issued on Thursday by Bayo Onanuga the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, who described Aina as a distinguished academic, systems expert, and reform-driven professional with extensive experience in examination systems, digital infrastructure, and public-sector innovation.

According to the statement, Aina holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Computer Systems Engineering from the University of Kent, United Kingdom, obtained in 2008.

He later earned a Master’s degree in Internet Computing and Network Security in 2009 and a PhD in Digital Signal Processing from Loughborough University, United Kingdom.

He also attended the Senior Management Programme at Lagos Business School.

“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.

“A Professor of Computer Engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Aina began his career with JAMB during his National Youth Service, gaining foundational experience in national admissions and data-driven institutional processes. These insights have shaped his ongoing contributions to examination reform and systems optimisation.

“Professor Aina is a member of several professional bodies, including the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET),”

Before his appointment, Aina was a Professor of Computer Engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, where he emerged as one of the youngest professors in his discipline in Nigeria at the age of 39.

Interestingly, Aina’s relationship with JAMB dates back to his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) year, when he served with the examination body and gained firsthand experience in admissions management and data-driven institutional processes.

The Presidency noted that the exposure shaped his long-standing contributions to examination reforms and systems optimisation across Nigeria’s education sector.

Beyond academia, Aina has worked as a consultant to major examination bodies, including the National Examinations Council (NECO) and the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), where he provided expertise in ICT systems, examination integrity, and digital process management.

He has also advised public institutions, including the Job Creation Unit in the Office of the Vice President and several state governments, on digital transition and operational reforms.

In the private sector, Aina co-founded Fluid Click Solutions Limited in 2010, an information technology and engineering project management company with interests in education technology, agriculture, hospitality, capacity building, and technical education.

A member of several professional bodies, Aina belongs to the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).

He has also authored about 30 peer-reviewed journal and conference papers.