The Federal Government has been urged to retain the services of Emeritus Professor Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede in various spheres of public services following the completion of his 10-year tenure as Registrar and Chief Executive of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

The call was made by the Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Finance and member representing Bida/Gbako/Katcha Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Saidu Musa Abdullahi, who described Oloyede’s decade at JAMB as a period of distinguished leadership, integrity, accountability and institutional reforms.

Abdullahi, in a statement on Thursday, congratulated Oloyede on the successful completion of his two-term tenure, saying his wealth of experience, institutional knowledge and record of public service remained valuable assets that should continue to be deployed in the interest of national development.

He said Oloyede’s contribution to the transformation of JAMB was particularly evident in the strengthening and institutionalisation of Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for large-scale examinations.

According to him, the reforms under Oloyede’s leadership have made JAMB’s examination processes a reference point for examination bodies in Nigeria and across Africa.

“His achievement at JAMB is even more remarkable when viewed against the background of his long and distinguished record of service before joining the Board,” the lawmaker said.

Abdullahi recalled that Oloyede, an accomplished scholar and administrator, served the University of Ilorin in various capacities, including Director of Academic Planning and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, before becoming Vice-Chancellor from 2007 to 2012.

He also highlighted Oloyede’s national and international engagements, including his leadership role in the Association of African Universities and service through the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council and the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs.

The lawmaker said Oloyede brought his wealth of academic and administrative experience to JAMB in 2016 and, over the past decade, contributed significantly to the modernisation of examination administration and improvement of service delivery.

Abdullahi said the completion of Oloyede’s tenure at JAMB should not bring an end to his contribution to the country.

“His ten years at JAMB therefore represent not merely the completion of an administrative tenure, but another important chapter in a long record of dedicated service to Nigeria.

“While his tenure at JAMB has ended, I believe it is not yet time for Professor Oloyede to bow out of service to his fatherland. His wealth of experience, institutional knowledge and record of public service remain valuable national assets,” he said.

He therefore called on the Federal Government to continue to avail itself of Oloyede’s experience and wisdom in areas where his contribution could further advance national development.

Abdullahi wished the former JAMB registrar continued good health and many more years of service to humanity and the country.