The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede, has delivered a stirring New Year message, calling on Nigerians to embrace hope, perseverance, and national unity as the country steps into 2026 amid ongoing socio-economic challenges.
In the message released on January 1, 2026, Professor Oloyede addressed Nigerians not merely as candidates, parents, or stakeholders in education, but as citizens bound by a shared destiny. He acknowledged that recent years have tested the nation’s resilience, patience, and confidence in the future.
Despite these challenges, the JAMB Registrar expressed optimism, stressing that history has consistently shown that periods of difficulty often precede renewal. According to him, the New Year presents a critical opportunity for Nigerians to rebuild, rethink priorities, and rise with renewed purpose.
Professor Oloyede urged citizens not to surrender to despair, encouraging them to hold firmly to their dreams, families, and collective responsibility to contribute meaningfully to national development. He emphasized that nations grow through the perseverance of ordinary people who refuse to abandon hope, even when progress appears slow.
He noted that 2026 demands endurance, integrity, and unity, warning that the year will favour only those who remain focused, act responsibly, and choose to do what is right, even when such choices are difficult or unpopular.
The JAMB Registrar further highlighted the importance of small but consistent acts of honesty, compassion, and resilience, describing them as essential building blocks for national recovery. He stressed that individual character and conduct would play a crucial role in shaping the country’s future.
Expressing confidence in the months ahead, Professor Oloyede stated that new opportunities would emerge from present challenges, hard work would attract rewards in unexpected ways, and healing and stability would gradually replace uncertainty across the nation.
He also called for cooperation across ethnic, religious, and social differences, urging Nigerians to prioritise dialogue over division and patience over despair. According to him, every positive choice, no matter how small, contributes to the Nigeria citizens collectively desire.
In a reassuring tone, the JAMB Registrar reminded Nigerians that progress is often built by people who refuse to quit. He encouraged citizens to hold on, remain steady, and keep moving forward despite setbacks.
The message concluded with a goodwill note, wishing Nigerians strength, clarity, and renewed determination for the year ahead, reinforcing his belief that better days are possible and achievable through collective resolve and unwavering hope.
