The outgoing Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Ishaq Oloyede has unveiled a raft of multi-billion-naira welfare initiatives, including an investment of over N8 billion in employees’ retirement savings.

The initiatives, according to him, are aimed at improving workers’ well-being, enhancing job satisfaction and providing long-term support for staff as part of the Board’s efforts to build a motivated and productive workforce.

Speaking at the Regular Meeting of the Examination Bodies and Libraries Trade Group Council of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), held at JAMB National Headquarters in Bwari, Abuja, on Wednesday, Prof. Oloyede restated his administration’s commitment to staff welfare and the autonomy of labour unions.

The Guardian reports that Oloyede is billed to conclude his statutory 10-year tenure as JAMB Registrar on July 31, 2026.

He insisted that he would never influence or interfere in the selection of union leaders within the Board.

The outgoing JAMB boss warned against betraying the trust of workers, describing such conduct as a fundamental breach of integrity.

“I will never participate, directly or indirectly, in the selection or election of any union leader. Whoever emerges through the genuine democratic process is the person I will relate with because that person truly represents the people,” he said.

According to him, leaders who compromise the mandate entrusted to them by members ultimately lose credibility before both their constituents and those they seek to please.

“If you can betray your constituency, it means you can betray me. I don’t deal with people who betray those who elected them,” Oloyede declared.

The JAMB boss used the occasion to highlight what he described as unprecedented improvements in workers’ welfare under his administration, revealing that the Board had consistently pursued policies designed to improve staff remuneration, retirement benefits and financial security.

He recalled that JAMB introduced a 13th-month salary, secured approval for examination allowances and successfully pushed for an increase from 10 per cent to 25 per cent despite bureaucratic hurdles.

According to him, although the Board initially sought a higher allowance than eventually approved by the Federal Government, it chose to comply with due process rather than violate established regulations.

“We will not do anything illegal. We will always follow the right path,” he stressed.

Oloyede further disclosed that JAMB had committed over N8 billion towards strengthening employees’ retirement savings, with annual deposits running into billions of naira into workers’ Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs).

He explained that the initiative was designed to guarantee financial stability for employees after retirement and eliminate the desperation that often fuels corruption in public service.

“We are making these investments so that when our staff retire, they will have something substantial to fall back on. Government must make honest service attractive by ensuring workers retire with dignity,” he said.

The Registrar also praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for restoring gratuity payments to retiring federal workers and increasing exit benefits, describing the development as one of the most worker-friendly reforms in recent times.

He urged other public institutions to emulate the Federal Government’s approach to improving employees’ welfare.

He equally commended NASU leaders for what he described as their unwavering commitment to representing members’ interests without compromising their mandate.

Recalling his longstanding relationship with the union dating back to his days at the University of Ilorin, he said NASU had remained a dependable partner throughout his public service career.

The Registrar thanked the union for recognising JAMB’s efforts towards staff welfare, promising to prominently display the commemorative presentation given to him during the meeting.

Earlier, Chairman of NASU, JAMB Branch, Andrew Onakpa, described the gathering as an important platform for advancing workers’ welfare and strengthening solidarity within the union.

He urged participants to use the meeting to engage in frank and constructive discussions aimed at improving conditions of service, institutional development and the protection of workers’ rights.

Onakpa applauded the management of the examination body for creating the conducive environment and providing the necessary support that ensured the successful hosting of the national meeting. He said the management’s cooperation reflected its commitment to fostering cordial labour relations and staff development.

He also lauded the national leadership of the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), led by its President, Dr. Hassan Makolo, and General Secretary, Prince Peters Adeyemi, for their steadfast dedication to the welfare, unity and advancement of union members across the country.

The two-day meeting attracted delegates from examination bodies and library institutions nationwide to discuss labour-related issues, workers’ welfare and strategies for strengthening the education sector.

A major highlight of the event was the presentation of an Award of Excellence and Distinguished Service to the outgoing JAMB Registrar in recognition of the far-reaching reforms he implemented in the Board.