The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, has called on Nigerians to embrace education as the cornerstone of national development, emphasizing that the country’s future depends on the quality and accessibility of its educational system.
Speaking during the 2025 Policy Meeting on Admissions into Tertiary Institutions, Prof. Oloyede stressed that education is not merely a personal asset but a national imperative. He urged stakeholders—government officials, educators, parents, and students—to work collaboratively to address systemic challenges and elevate Nigeria’s global academic standing.
“No nation can rise above the quality of its education. We must invest in our youth, our institutions, and our values if we are to compete globally,” Oloyede stated.
The Registrar highlighted several pressing issues affecting Nigeria’s education sector, including underfunding, outdated curricula, poor teacher training, and infrastructure decay. He also addressed the controversial lowering of cut-off marks for tertiary admissions, defending the move as a strategy to expand access while maintaining standards through post-admission screening and quality assurance mechanisms.
He also called on tertiary institutions to align academic programs with market needs, noting that the mismatch between graduate skills and labor demands continues to hinder economic growth.
“We must rethink education not just as a pathway to employment but as a tool for innovation, civic responsibility, and national unity,” he added.
Prof. Oloyede concluded by urging Nigerians to hold leaders accountable for education funding and policy implementation, emphasizing that national development begins in the classroom.