The National Assembly (NASS) Joint Committee on Finance has raised alarm over what it termed “excessive spending” by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), questioning expenditures amounting to ₦1.85 billion on items such as meals, refreshments, and fumigation in 2024.
The scrutiny came during a budget defense session on Monday, where JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, presented the board’s proposed financial plan for 2025. The hearing quickly turned contentious, with lawmakers criticizing the agency’s fiscal priorities and management of public funds.
Leading the charge, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) demanded explanations for the startling figures.
“You spent ₦1.1 billion on meals and refreshments. Are you being fed freely by the government?” Oshiomhole asked, emphasizing the board’s reliance on fees from students, many of whom struggle financially.
His critique extended to JAMB’s ₦850 million expenditure on security, cleaning, and fumigation.
“What exactly are you fumigating? Are mosquitoes consuming all this money?” he quipped, prompting murmurs of agreement from other committee members.
Adding to the scrutiny, Oshiomhole lambasted JAMB’s ₦600 million bill for local travels, questioning its necessity given the agency’s primarily domestic operations.
JAMB had reported remitting ₦4 billion to the Consolidated Revenue Fund in 2024 while receiving a ₦6 billion grant from the federal government. However, lawmakers expressed dissatisfaction, calling for the agency to become fully self-reliant.
Chairman of the House Committee on Finance, Abiodun Faleke, criticized the board’s reliance on federal funding.
“You remitted ₦4 billion and got ₦6 billion from the government. Why not keep your earnings and stop relying on federal allocations? JAMB should be self-sustaining,” he argued.
The exchange highlighted broader concerns about financial accountability within revenue-generating agencies in Nigeria. Critics say such agencies often fail to justify their expenditures despite significant income streams.
Observers note that JAMB, which administers entrance exams for tertiary institutions, generates substantial revenue annually through registration fees. However, the perception of mismanagement and inefficiency persists.
While Prof. Oloyede acknowledged the concerns raised, he insisted that all expenditures were necessary and duly accounted for. He cited the high cost of securing examination centers, maintaining facilities, and ensuring the integrity of operations nationwide.
“Security and fumigation are critical to our operations, given the scale of our activities across the country,” he explained.
The registrar also justified the spending on meals and refreshments, attributing it to the hosting of officials, stakeholders, and exam personnel during critical events.
The lawmakers’ grilling of JAMB reflects growing public frustration over the perceived misuse of public funds. Advocacy groups have called for increased transparency and a review of how revenue-generating agencies operate.
The committee hinted at withholding federal allocations to JAMB in 2025, signaling potential financial strain for the agency.
“If JAMB cannot justify these expenses, we may have no choice but to cut its allocation,” Faleke warned.
Analysts suggest that such measures could force the board to implement cost-cutting strategies and improve financial discipline.
The revelations come at a time when Nigeria faces economic challenges, including a ballooning debt profile and widespread unemployment. Citizens have called on government institutions to prioritize efficiency and accountability.
