The National Assembly Joint Committee on Finance has raised serious concerns over the 2025 budget proposal of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), threatening to cut the agency’s Federal Government grant over alleged excessive spending in 2024.
The decision came after JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, presented the agency’s budget proposal to the Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives.
Controversial Expenditures Spark Criticism
During the presentation, Oloyede disclosed that JAMB remitted N4 billion to the Consolidated Revenue Fund in 2024 but received a N6 billion grant from the Federal Government. This drew sharp criticism from lawmakers, who questioned why a self-funding agency like JAMB requires government funding.
The most contentious aspect of JAMB’s expenditure was the N1.1 billion spent on meals and refreshments, alongside N850 million on security, cleaning, and fumigation.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole, a member of the committee, strongly criticized the agency’s spending, saying:
“You spent N1.1 billion on meals and refreshments. Are you being freely fed by the government? What this means is that you are spending the money you generate from poor students, many of them orphans.”
He further questioned the N850 million allocated for security and cleaning services, asking, “What did you fumigate? Is it mosquitoes that took all this money?”
Additionally, Oshiomhole raised concerns over JAMB’s N600 million expenditure on local travels and the N6.5 billion allocated for local training programs, demanding detailed justifications from the Registrar.
Faleke Questions Federal Grant
Abiodun Faleke, Chairman of the House Committee on Finance, echoed Oshiomhole’s concerns, suggesting that JAMB should rely entirely on its internally generated revenue rather than receiving government funding.
“You remitted N4 billion and got N6 billion from the Federal Government. Why not keep the N4 billion and stop government funding for JAMB?” Faleke asked.
Call for Accountability
The committee members emphasized the need for greater transparency and accountability in JAMB’s financial management. They questioned the rationale behind the agency’s spending patterns, particularly given its self-sustaining status through exam fees collected from students nationwide.
The lawmakers have hinted at reviewing JAMB’s funding structure in the 2025 budget, potentially cutting off Federal Government grants if the agency cannot provide adequate justifications for its expenditures.
Conclusion
As JAMB continues to defend its 2025 budget proposal, the scrutiny from the National Assembly underscores the need for public agencies to align their expenditures with the principles of accountability and efficiency. The controversy surrounding JAMB’s spending on meals, security, and travel has reignited debates about the management of public resources and the financial burden placed on students. Further deliberations are expected as the National Assembly pushes for clarity on JAMB’s financial practices.