Oloyede, a rare Nigerian-Jimoh
By Abubakar Imam
A former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Emeritus Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede, CON, has been described as a rare Nigerian whose dispositions to life is positively remarkably different.
This assertion was made penultimate Friday (September 11, 2026) by a former Deputy Chief Imam of the University of Ilorin Central Mosque, Dr Yusuf Kolawole Jimoh, while speaking at a special prayer organised in honour of Prof. Emeritus Oloyede following the successful completion of his two-terms tenure as the Registrar and Chief Executive of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
The programme, which was well-attended, was organised by the Kuliya of Ilorin and former Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Osun State University, Osogbo, Prof. Yusuf Ola-Olu Ali, SAN, at his Adewole Housing Estate Residence in Ilorin.
Dr Jimoh, who retired from the Department of Religions, University of Ilorin, said that Prof. Ali has proven to be an exceptional personality whose life epitomises service and integrity.
He described Prof. Emeritus Oloyede as an uncommon ambassador of his ancestral community, the University of Ilorin and the Nigerian Muslim community as well as the nation at large.
Dr Jimoh said that Prof. Emeritus Oloyede has proven to be higher than his social and economic environment, pointing out that the Former JAMB Registrar refused to succumb to the influence of his environment.
He recalled that instead of sharing revenue or using such to execute white elephant projects like many public officials would have done, Prof. Emeritus Oloyede was motivated by nothing but patriotism to return the huge sums of money to public treasury every year throughout his tenure at JAMB.
Dr Jimoh, who also taught at Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, encouraged Prof. Emeritus Oloyede to continue to serve as a role-model as he urged other Nigerians to emulate him for the nation to witness the much anticipated national rebirth.
Also speaking, the organiser of the event, Prof. Ali described Prof. Emeritus Oloyede as his personal friend of many decades.
He described the former JAMB Registrar as a self-made man who worked tirelessly to become the celebrity he has become.
Prof. Ali said that from every account, it was very clear that the honouree deserves all the encomiums poured on him in view of his exemplary attributes, which his life epitomises.
The event was attended by several dignitaries including the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Moji Taibat Bakare-Odunola; the Managing Director of UNILORIN Holdings, Prof. Bashiru Raji; a former Vice Chancellor of the Summit University, Offa, Prof. H. O. B. Oloyede; the Director of the Central Research Laboratories, Prof. Ibraheem Adeola Katibi; a former Director of the Centre for International Education, Prof. Lateef Onireti Ibraheem; the Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Information Technology, Kwara State University, Malete, Prof. Isiaka Zubair Aliagan; and the Registrar of the Kwara State University, Malete, Dr Wasilat Kikelomo Sallee.
Also in attendance were the National President of the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU), Alhaji Abdulmumini Ayo Abdulmalik; the Olojoku of Ojoku, Oba AbdulRazaq Iyiola Olaseni and the Daudu Ballah in Asa Local Government Area of Kwara State, Alhaji Kolapo Aliyu Abdulkadir, among several others.
