Is JAMB Losing Its Federal Funding? NASS Considers Major Budget Cuts

At a recent meeting, members of the National Assembly, which includes both the Senate and House of Representatives, talked about possibly not giving the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) any more government grants in the 2025 budget. 

They are concerned because JAMB didn’t send enough money to the government’s main account, despite getting N6 billion from the government in 2024.

Financial Mismanagement Concerns at JAMB

During a discussion about how much money different government departments will have for 2025, JAMB’s boss, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, said JAMB had given N4 billion back to the government but had received N6 billion from it. 

This didn’t sit well with some members of the committee, including Senator Sani Musa from Niger East, who led the meeting.

Debate Over JAMB’s Self-Sufficiency

Committee members, like Abiodun Faleke and Senator Adams Oshiomhole, questioned why the government was giving money to JAMB when it can support itself. Faleke, who leads the House Committee on Finance, criticised how JAMB managed its money. 

Oshiomhole was upset about how JAMB spent N1.1 billion on food and drinks, arguing that it wasn’t right since this money essentially comes from students, many of whom are struggling.

Scrutiny of JAMB’s Expenditures

Oshiomhole also pointed out other big expenses by JAMB, like N850 million for security and cleaning, and N600 million for travel inside the country. He demanded explanations for these high costs.

Broader Issues with Government Revenue Remittances

The meeting also covered a bigger problem with many government departments not giving enough money back to the government’s main account. Senator Musa said this is a big issue because it stops the government from being able to pay for important things like roads and schools. He emphasised the need for these departments to be more open and efficient with their money.

Call for Transparency and Accountability

Senator Musa ended the session by asking everyone involved to work together and share clear and complete information. He stressed that being open and accurate is for fixing problems and making the government’s money management better.