By Akindele Orimolade
It was not a protest. It was not a boardroom ambush. Neither was it a political showdown.
Yet, for a few unforgettable moments inside the headquarters of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), an unusual “civilian coup” unfolded ; one that caught the outgoing Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, completely off guard and momentarily halted the day’s official business.
The operation had been planned with military precision.
Only a select group of media professionals, civil society leaders and JAMB’s Public Communication Adviser, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, knew about the surprise appreciation ceremony. The secrecy was deliberate. Those who knew Prof. Oloyede’s modest disposition were convinced that if he got the slightest hint of the plan, he would politely decline the honour.
So the mission remained under wraps until the appointed hour.
At exactly 2:00 p.m., after taking a brief recess from a management meeting, Prof. Oloyede stepped into the reception area accompanied by his designated successor, Dr. Segun Aina. Instead of returning quietly to the meeting room, he was greeted by an unusual sight; journalists with cameras poised, microphones switched on, and representatives of civil society wearing unmistakable smiles.
The veteran administrator immediately sensed that something was amiss.
“This is not on my schedule,” he remarked, clearly surprised.
Before he could excuse himself, Dr. Fabian Benjamin gently appealed to him to spare a few minutes and hear the visitors out.
Within moments, the reality dawned on him.
Breaking into his trademark smile, Prof. Oloyede quipped: “This is a coup, and Fabian is part of it. Let’s make it fast, we have a scheduled meeting.”
His witty remark sent waves of laughter across the room, instantly breaking the tension. But behind the humour lay genuine emotion as the unsuspecting Registrar realised he had become the subject of an appreciation ceremony celebrating nearly a decade of transformative leadership at JAMB.
Presenting the award on behalf of the Media and Civil Society for JAMB, one of the Directors of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Dr. Quazeem Akinreti, said the recognition was inspired by Prof. Oloyede’s uncommon commitment to integrity, transparency and accountability in public service.
According to Dr. Akinreti, the outgoing Registrar fundamentally changed the narrative of JAMB, turning an institution once associated with controversy into one increasingly recognised for credibility and operational excellence.
“Professor Oloyede raised the bar; the bar of integrity, the bar of success and the bar of accountability,” he declared. “He transformed JAMB from the abyss to global heights through uncommon transparency and exemplary leadership.”
He explained that although the award was symbolic, its message was profound: excellence in public service deserves to be celebrated just as failure is often criticised.
“There is nothing too small to appreciate,” Akinreti said. “Nigerians should know that whenever good work is done, it deserves recognition. We wish him good health and many more years of impactful service.”
He also paid tribute to JAMB’s Public Communication Adviser, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, describing him as a bridge between the institution, the media and civil society whose openness contributed significantly to the cordial relationship enjoyed throughout Prof. Oloyede’s administration.
For a man renowned for his composure and humility, the surprise recognition was clearly emotional.
Accepting the award, Prof. Oloyede deflected the praise from himself and instead focused attention on the future of the institution.
“If you think I have done anything worthwhile, I believe my successor will do even better,” he said. “I belong to the old school, while Dr. Segun Aina represents a new generation. I am confident he will take JAMB to even greater heights. I therefore ask for your support for him.”
He concluded with a message of gratitude and national service.
“On behalf of the Board, I sincerely thank all of you for this honour. May God strengthen every one of us as we continue working to make our nation and the world better.”
In a country where public officials are more accustomed to criticism than commendation, the surprise tribute carried significance far beyond the presentation of a plaque.
It underscored a growing conviction among sections of civil society and the media that integrity in public office should not pass unnoticed. Recognition, they argued, is not merely about rewarding individuals; it is about reinforcing the values capable of rebuilding public institutions.
Ironically, the “civilian coup” that briefly interrupted JAMB’s management meeting ended without casualties ;except for the carefully guarded schedule of a Registrar who never saw it coming.
Instead, it produced something increasingly rare in Nigeria’s public space: a spontaneous celebration of integrity, humility and institutional excellence.
For Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, it was a reminder that while leadership may be measured by policies and reforms, its most enduring legacy is often found in the respect and gratitude of the people whose lives it has touched.
