Lawmakers threaten to cut JAMB’s budget over low remittances
The joint finance committee of the national assembly has threatened to withhold a federal grant from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in the proposed 2025 budget.
This grant is part of the annual budget allocation intended to support JAMB’s operational expenses and activities.
JAMB registrar, Ishaq Oloyede, appeared before the senate and house of representatives’ joint committee to discuss revenue projections for 2025.
The session was part of an interactive review to evaluate revenue forecasts from various government ministries, departments, and agencies.
The session, chaired by Senator Sani Musa of the All Progressives Congress representing Niger East, was held on Monday.
Oloyede presented JAMB’s revenue projections for the 2025 fiscal year during the meeting.
He disclosed that JAMB remitted N4 billion to the consolidated revenue fund while receiving N6 billion in budgetary allocations for 2024.
Lawmakers, including House of Representatives finance committee chairman Abiodun Faleke and APC Senator Adams Oshiomhole from Edo North, criticized this funding arrangement.
The committee questioned why an agency capable of generating its own funds should still receive financial support from the federal government.
Faleke asked, “Why not retain the N4 billion instead of relying on government funding for JAMB?”
Oshiomhole criticized JAMB’s spending habits, specifically the N1.1 billion allocated for meals and refreshments in the 2025 budget proposal.
He asked, “Is the government responsible for feeding you? This money comes from poor students, many of whom are orphans.”
Oshiomhole also raised concerns about other expenditures, such as N850 million for security, cleaning, and fumigation; N600 million for local travel; N6.5 billion for training; and N1 billion for a staff housing scheme.
He requested a detailed explanation of these costs.
Oloyede attempted to justify the spending but was asked to return in three days with a more comprehensive breakdown.
The senate expressed concern over the low remittances by MDAs in 2024, highlighting a significant disparity between revenue generated and amounts remitted to the federation account.
They attributed the issues to inefficiency, poor management, and possible revenue leakages.
Senator Sani Musa warned that such discrepancies undermine the government’s ability to fund essential infrastructure and social services.