The newly appointed Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Segun Aina, has said he deliberately turned down the opportunity to settle permanently in the United Kingdom, despite spending about 11 years abroad for studies and professional development.
Aina, a Computer Engineering professor at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile Ife, said this in an interview with Association of Campus Journalists, OAU.
The OAU lecturer said his decision was guided by a long-term commitment to return home and contribute to Nigeria’s development rather than build a permanent life overseas.
He later obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Computer Systems Engineering from the University of Kent and later proceeded to Loughborough University, where he earned both his Master’s degree and PhD in Digital Signal Processing.
He said he became eligible for permanent residency after many years in the UK but chose not to pursue it.
“I deliberately did not pursue that because I did not want a way out. I wanted to ensure that I was fully committed to the prospect of building a successful career here,” Aina said.
He described the decision as a conscious personal sacrifice, driven more by patriotism than convenience or career security abroad.
He said he strongly believes in the “Nigerian dream,” insisting that his success is closely tied to how much impact he can make within the country.
He said, “I am a patriot. I am hugely passionate about Nigeria as a project. I believe in the Nigerian dream.”
The professor noted that while his time abroad exposed him to more structured academic systems, it also strengthened his desire to return and contribute to improving systems at home.
Aina said that his goal has always been to blend international exposure with local realities to improve outcomes in Nigeria’s education and technology space.
His academic journey has since positioned him as one of the youngest professors of Computer Engineering in the country at the age of 39.
He has also built a career around education reform, digital systems, and institutional development, serving as a consultant to examination bodies such as NECO and NABTEB.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday appointed him as Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, following the completion of the two-term tenure of Professor Is-haq Oloyede.
Aina also said he views his new role as part of a broader mission to bridge the gap between academia and industry, especially in a rapidly evolving technological environment.
He is expected to oversee further digital transformation and reforms within the national examination and admissions system.
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