Oloyede reflects on legacy, integrity
By Isaac Lewu
A former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin and immediate past Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Emeritus Is’haq Olanrewaju Oloyede, CON, has reaffirmed that integrity, transparency and selfless service remain the enduring values that should guide leadership in public institutions.
Prof. Oloyede, who is also the Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), stated this during an interview on an Arise TV News programme monitored by UNILORIN Bulletin.
The former Vice Chancellor reflected on his decade-long stewardship at JAMB, his leadership philosophy and some defining moments in his public service career.
The distinguished scholar said his greatest satisfaction in office came from safeguarding the credibility of Nigeria’s admission process through fairness, accountability and strict adherence to due process.
Prof. Oloyede disclosed that the most painful aspect of his tenure was not dealing with candidates involved in examination malpractice but confronting parents who deliberately aided their children to cheat during examinations.
According to him, such actions undermine the moral foundation of the society by introducing young people to dishonest practices at an early stage of life and threatening the nation’s future.
Prof. Oloyede, who is also a former Chairman of the Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, noted that advancements in technology would continue to improve transparency, monitoring and operational efficiency in Nigeria’s admission system.
Reflecting on public service, Prof. Oloyede said he has no immediate plans to write an autobiography, explaining that recounting every personal experience could reopen old wounds and revive issues better left in the past.
He observed that while he admired those who document their life stories, his disposition towards complete openness made him cautious about publishing accounts that could unintentionally create unnecessary divisions.
