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JAMB Registrar, Prof. ISHAQ OLOYEDE
Notable and profound among the success stories of Markaz University College, originally established as the Arabic and Islamic Institute in Agege by Sheikh Adam Abdullah El-Ilory of blessed memory, is the remarkable journey of Professor Ishaq Olanrewaju Oloyede. Currently serving as the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Oloyede epitomizes the institution’s enduring legacy of academic and moral excellence.
A proud alumnus of the prestigious institution, Professor Oloyede’s achievements reflect the high-quality education and strong ethical foundation imparted by Markaz. His contributions to Nigeria’s educational landscape, particularly through his transformative leadership at JAMB, have earned him national and international acclaim. His success stands as a testament to the institution’s mission of nurturing individuals who excel not only in academia but also as impactful leaders in society.
The story of Professor Oloyede highlights the profound impact of Markaz University College in shaping the lives of its students, fostering a blend of intellectual depth, moral uprightness, and societal relevance. This reinforces the vision of its founder, Sheikh Adam Abdullah El-Ilory, to produce individuals equipped to make meaningful contributions to the world.
At the maiden matriculation ceremony for the undergraduate programs of the recently upgraded Markaz University College, Professor Oloyede, a proud product of Markaz, was among the distinguished guests of the day. In his goodwill message, he narrated how attending Markaz was instrumental to his many academic achievements. Below are excerpts from his speech:
“I say it with pride that today marks a significant milestone as we gather to witness the maiden matriculation ceremony of the undergraduate students. Congratulations, the undergraduate students. While I typically, ordinarily, do not attend matriculation, I rarely attend, but the Director of Admissions, JAMB, will understand why I have to be physically here, because it is my institution.
I have chosen to be here because this is an institution that contributed significantly to what I am today. Today will be a significant day in the history of this great institution. Dear matriculants, I urge you to embrace this opportunity just as I did, not only to shape your own future but also to set a standard of excellence that will continue to define this center.
I remember vividly, vividly, that in 1975, our late sage, Sheikh Adam Abdullahi Al-Ilori may God continue to bless his soul, was delivering a lecture, the khutba, and I was one of the students who were transcribing the khutba, because the following day on Saturday, we have to paste the sermon, which Sheikh would deliver ex-tempore. So I sat down, and I was doing it with some of my colleagues. May God continue to bless all of them.
And it occurred to me, how long, how are you going to make it? What are you going to do after leaving this place? Shaytan was just putting it to my mind that you are not likely to make it. You better just agree that you are not going to know or to make any meaningful use of this lesson. And I remember I went to the mosque, and I observed just two rakah, and I prayed that God, who created Sheikh Adam Abdullahi, has also created me, and if he can make a success of Arabic and Islamic studies, I want to make a success of it.
So I want to tell you that right from that moment, I was very sure that I’m going to make a success of Arabic and Islamic studies. Indeed, when I went to sit for the end class examination to the University of Ibadan, and after the examination, anybody who met me to say, how was the exam? I said, it was not an exam. I said, why? I am sure I am going to pass.
They said, are you sure? And when I went to check for my result, I was told that I led the class. Some of my classmates are here, I led the examination. So Markaz is a place to prepare you for knowledge, for character, unless you do not want to have it.
Unfortunately, some institutions cut corners to make it. Markaz cannot cut corners because it’s not just a citadel for learning, it’s also a citadel for character. I am very sure that the management of Markaz University College will remain vigilant and committed to ethical standards.
It is crucial to recognize that running an institution is not a profit-making venture. It is service to humanity. And anybody who believes that establishing a university is for making profit is only deceiving himself or herself because we soon damage the reputation of the institutions.
On behalf of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, it is my pleasure to congratulate and welcome these new matriculants into the university system in Nigeria. May God the Almighty be with each and every one of us and continue to make this institution a demonstration of what Arabic and Islamic studies can contribute to the development of a great nation. May God the Almighty be with us.”
WHAT MANY PEOPLE DON’T KNOW
ABOUT HIM
Professor Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede, born on October 10, 1954, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria, is a distinguished academic and administrator renowned for his significant contributions to Nigeria’s educational sector.
Educational Background and Academic Career: Professor Oloyede commenced his higher education at the University of Ibadan, obtaining a certificate in Arabic and Islamic Studies in 1977. He then pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Arabic at the University of Ilorin, graduating with First Class Honours in 1981. He continued at the same institution for his Master’s degree in 1985 and earned his Ph.D. in Islamic Studies in 1991. By 1995, he had risen to the rank of Professor of Islamic Jurisprudence.
Administrative Roles and Achievements: In 2007, Professor Oloyede became the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, marking the first time an alumnus held this position. During his tenure until 2012, he implemented transformative policies that elevated the university’s status, making it one of the top-ranked institutions in Africa and the most sought-after university in Nigeria.
His leadership extended beyond the university as he served as the Chairman of the Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities and the Committee of Vice-Chancellors between 2011 and 2012. Internationally, he was the President of the Association of African Universities from 2009 to 2011 and held positions such as Deputy Chairman of the Governing Board of the International Association of Universities and Secretary-General of the Association of West African Universities.
Contributions as JAMB Registrar: Appointed as the Registrar and Chief Executive of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in 2016, Professor Oloyede introduced reforms that enhanced the transparency and credibility of Nigeria’s tertiary admissions process. Under his leadership, JAMB adopted technological innovations and consistently remitted significant funds to the Federal Government, a departure from previous administrations.
Professional Affiliations and Recognitions: A prolific scholar, Professor Oloyede has numerous publications in national and international journals. He is a Fellow of the Islamic Academy of Cambridge, the Nigerian Institute of Management, and the Nigerian Academy of Letters, among others. His dedication to public service and academic excellence has earned him various accolades, including recognition as the “Most Outstanding Public Servant of the Year” by New Telegraph in 2017.
Professor Oloyede’s career exemplifies a commitment to educational advancement, institutional reform, and public accountability, making him a prominent figure in Nigeria’s academic and administrative landscape.