The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has a new chief executive. Professor Segun Aina formally took over as Registrar on Friday, 31 July 2026, succeeding Professor Is-haq Oloyede, whose two terms covering about ten years came to an end in August 2026.
For the millions of candidates who sit the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) every year, a change at the top of JAMB naturally raises questions. This article explains who the new Registrar is, what has been said about the direction of the Board, and what 2027 candidates should do now.
Who is Professor Segun Aina?
Professor Aina is a Professor of Computer Engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife. Reports of his appointment highlighted the following background:
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Systems Engineering from the University of Kent, United Kingdom.
- Master’s degree in Internet Computing and Network Security, and a PhD in Digital Signal Processing, both from Loughborough University.
- Senior Management Programme at Lagos Business School.
- More than 15 years of experience advising federal and state governments on digital transformation and institutional reform.
- Consultancy experience with examination bodies, including NECO and NABTEB, focused on IT systems and examination integrity.
The Presidency described him as the youngest Registrar in JAMB’s history. He was 39 at the time of his appointment.
What the appointment means for candidates
At the handover, President Bola Tinubu said he expected the new Registrar to build on the reforms recorded under Professor Oloyede. Those reforms shaped the UTME most candidates know today:
- Computer-based testing (CBT) at accredited centres across the country.
- Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS), where every admission offer must be accepted or rejected by the candidate.
- Biometric verification during registration and on exam day.
- National Identification Number (NIN) as a registration requirement.
- Strict sanctions for multiple registration, impersonation and examination malpractice.
Given Professor Aina’s background in computer engineering and exam-integrity systems, observers expect continued investment in technology. However, no major changes to the 2027 UTME have been officially announced yet. Candidates should prepare on the assumption that the existing structure (CBT, CAPS, NIN, biometrics) will remain.
Key 2026 policy decisions that carry into the new era
Professor Oloyede’s last annual policy meeting held on 11 May 2026 in Abuja and was chaired by the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa. The main decisions were:
| Institution type | Minimum UTME score (2026/2027) |
|---|---|
| Universities | 150 |
| Colleges of Nursing Sciences | 150 |
| Polytechnics and monotechnics | 100 |
The meeting also exempted NCE candidates with at least four credit passes from sitting the UTME. You can read the full details in our guide to the 2026 JAMB cut-off marks.
What 2027 UTME candidates should do now
- Get your NIN ready. Make sure the name on your NIN matches your O’Level certificate and birth certificate. Name mismatches cause registration problems.
- Choose your course early. Confirm the correct UTME subject combination for your course. See our guide on JAMB subject combinations.
- Start practising CBT questions. Use past questions and timed CBT practice software.
- Watch for the official 2027 registration announcement. In 2026, registration opened in January. See our 2027 UTME preview.
Frequently asked questions
When did Professor Aina take office?
He assumed office on 31 July 2026.
Has JAMB changed the UTME format for 2027?
As of late October 2026, no official changes to the 2027 UTME format have been announced. We will update this page when JAMB releases its 2027 guidelines.
Will the 150 cut-off mark apply in 2027?
No. Cut-off marks are set every year at the JAMB policy meeting, usually held after UTME results are released. The 2027 cut-off will be decided at the 2027 policy meeting.
