In the face of growing allegations about the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB)’s alleged misuse of funds, the institution’s Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, has issued a strong rebuttal. Oloyede, speaking at an event in Abuja, vehemently denied claims that the Board had spent excessive amounts on items like fumigation, meals, and other services in 2024. The controversy erupted after reports circulated suggesting that the Board had lavishly overspent on these services, with figures said to have been presented to the National Assembly Joint Committee on Finance.
A Clear Clarification
Oloyede’s statement came after questions arose concerning a budget proposal presented to the committee, which many had mistakenly interpreted as a report on the 2024 expenditure. The Registrar firmly clarified that what he had submitted was exclusively a proposal for the 2025 budget and not the performance or spending of 2024.
“I want to say emphatically, without any iota of doubt, that I never presented any budget performance of 2024 before the National Assembly yesterday. There has been a lot of misunderstanding,” Oloyede said, emphasizing that the figures being questioned had no bearing on the 2024 budget year. “We did not spend any money, any humongous money in 2024,” he added.
Addressing specific allegations, Oloyede revealed that the total expenditure on fumigation across all JAMB offices nationwide in 2024 was a modest sum, amounting to less than N1 million. “What we budgeted for 2025 for fumigation is less than N2 million,” he stated, seeking to assure Nigerians that the funds allocated for these services were not exorbitant.
The Meals Debate
Another focal point of the controversy was the allegation of exorbitant spending on meals. Some reports suggested that the Board had wasted significant resources on feeding its staff, especially during operational periods. However, Oloyede dismissed these claims, providing a detailed explanation of why such provisions were necessary.
“Everybody knows that at the JAMB headquarters, we provide lunch for those in the headquarters. We do this partly because we don’t want our system to be compromised, and for security reasons too,” Oloyede explained. “There are also ICT infrastructures that could be damaged if we allowed people to bring food from outside, so we created a canteen and provide for them.”
He further clarified that the 2025 budget proposal accounted for providing meals to 2,300 individuals, 22 days a month, for 12 months. “What will it be if not over N1 billion?” he quipped, underscoring the scale of the operation and the necessity for these expenses.
The 2025 Budget Proposal
Oloyede also addressed the matter of the proposed N6.5 billion allocation for training, which had become a point of contention. Some critics had assumed that the sum had already been spent in 2024, but the Registrar explained that it was merely a proposed budget item for the following year.
The training funds, he revealed, were intended for a wide range of activities, including the monitoring of examinations, admission expenses, the management of e-facilities, and the organization of awards for top institutions. He pointed out that JAMB employs around 10,500 examiners and invigilators to conduct the mock and UTME examinations. “Some of them stay for 10 days,” Oloyede said, stressing that he does not determine the daily allowances (DTA) paid to them, as that decision rests with the government.
Security and Cleaning Costs Under Scrutiny
The alleged overspending on security and cleaning services across JAMB offices was another point of contention. Critics had questioned the Board’s budget for these services, particularly as it was suggested that the number of personnel employed had increased. Oloyede clarified that JAMB employs 580 security staff and cleaners nationwide, a number that had remained constant for years.
He acknowledged that the recent increase in Nigeria’s minimum wage – from N30,000 to N70,000 – would naturally result in a rise in the budgetary allocation for these personnel. However, he strongly denied any mismanagement or unreasonable expenditure.
UTME Fee Reduction: A New Era of Affordability
In addition to clarifying the budget confusion, Oloyede also addressed the contentious issue of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) fees. There have been calls from various quarters for a reduction in the UTME registration fee, which was previously set at N5,000. In response, Oloyede pointed out that the fee had already been slashed to N3,500.
“This is the least paid anywhere in the world for any admission process, unless you want it to be given free,” he said, defending the fee structure. He also expressed confidence that, with further clarification, Nigerians would understand that JAMB under his leadership would not misappropriate or misuse the funds allocated to the Board.
A Call for Further Clarification
Despite the clarity provided by Oloyede, he expressed hope that the National Assembly committee would grant him the opportunity to present a more detailed explanation of the 2025 budget. He maintained that the misunderstandings were a result of the limited review of the proposal during the initial presentation and that he was eager to clear up any remaining confusion.
“I hope the National Assembly committee will give me a fair chance to provide more details so that the public can fully understand the budget,” Oloyede said, reaffirming his commitment to transparency and accountability.
In closing, the JAMB Registrar reiterated that his leadership had always been focused on maintaining the integrity of the examination process and ensuring that all financial decisions were made with due diligence and in the best interests of Nigerians.
As the controversy continues to unfold, many are awaiting the next steps in the budget review process, with hopes that the confusion surrounding JAMB’s 2024 expenditure will soon be resolved.
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