Things to know about the JAMB Registrar, Is-haq Oloyede, as his tenure ends.

Prof Is-haq Oloyede is a Professor of Islamic Studies,  He was the former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Nigeria, and the current Registrar and Chief Executive of Nigeria’s Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB.

He was born on the 10th of October, 1954, and hails from Abeokuta South local government area of Ogun State. He had his Secondary Education from 1969-1973 at the Progressive Institute, Agege Lagos and Arabic Training Centre Agege, Lagos,(Markaz) from 1973-1976.

He later obtained a certificate in Arabic and Islamic Studies from the University of Ibadan between 1976 and 1977. He furthered his tertiary education at the University of Ilorin in 1978 where he studied Arabic and was awarded a B.A. Arabic (First Class Hons) in 1981.

In July 1982 he was appointed an Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Religions of the University. In 1991, he had his Doctorate degree in Islamic Studies also from the University of Ilorin.

Starting as an Assistant Lecturer in 1982, Oloyede rose steadily through the ranks to become a globally respected Professor in 1995 with several articles, authored and co-authored, in reputable local and international outlets. He was elected the Vice-Chancellor of the  University of Ilorin on 15 October 2007 for a single term of five years during which the university was deeply transformed, becoming well highly-ranked among the best in Africa and the most sought-after university in Nigeria.

Prior to his appointment as Vice-Chancellor, he was a Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration between 2005–2007, a Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic (2003–2005), and a Director of Academic Planning of the University (2001–2003). He was a two-time 1st and 2nd National Vice-President of the University of Ilorin Alumni Association, a member of the University Governing Council; Students’ Disciplinary Committee; Revenue Yielding Committee; Honorary Degree and Monument Committee; Strategic Planning Steering Committee and Member; and Capital Project Implementation Task Force among others.

Outside the town and gown of the university, Oloyede also served as the Chairman of the Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities and Committee of Vice-Chancellors between 2011–2012. At the international level, he has held several distinguished positions. Between 2009–2011, he was the president of the Association of African Universities (AAU).

Other positions include Deputy Chairman of the Governing Board of the International Association of Universities (IAU) [2008 – 2011]; and Secretary-General, Association of West African Universities (AWAU) [2013 – 2017]. In 2015, he was appointed the (2nd) Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the 3rd Governing Council of Fountain University, Nigeria. He is also one of the International Advisory Board members of the International Network for Higher Education in Africa (INHEA).

In 2005, he was appointed by President Olusegun Obasanjo as Co-Secretary of the National Political Reform Conference. In 2006, he was appointed as a consultant by the National Universities Commission on Educational Reforms in Nigeria. Oloyede became the National Coordinator and Executive Secretary of the National Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) in 2007. Since 2013, he has been the Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).

In 2016, President Muhammadu Buhari appointed him as the Registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB),