The House of Representatives has directed the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to remit N3.602 billion to the Federal Government’s Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) within 30 days.
This mandate was issued by Rep. Bamidele Salam, Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, during an investigative hearing in Abuja.
The order followed concerns raised by the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC), which accused JAMB of failing to remit its full operating surplus to the federal government. Rep. Salam emphasized that the remittance is governed by established financial laws and not open to interpretation, stressing that JAMB must comply with these regulations.
The Dispute
At the heart of the dispute is the percentage of revenue JAMB is required to remit—whether it should be 25% or 50%. Mr. Mufutau Bello, JAMB’s Director of Finance and Administration, explained that JAMB has adhered to the 25% remittance threshold, as permitted by the Accountant-General’s office, and has even exceeded this amount over the years.
In 2019, JAMB reduced its registration fees from N5,000 to N3,500 to alleviate financial pressure on Nigerians. However, the FRC now demands a 50% remittance, which Bello argues deviates from the existing agreement. “If judged by the 25% benchmark, JAMB has over-remitted over the years,” Bello stated, attributing the current confusion to the FRC’s new demands.
Mr. Bello Aliyu, representing the FRC, revealed that as of 2021, JAMB had outstanding liabilities amounting to N390.725 million. Following the submission of JAMB’s 2022 audited financial statements, the FRC calculated a new liability of N3.602 billion, which was communicated to JAMB on March 14, 2023. A reminder was issued on August 31, yet no response was received.
Final Directive
Despite JAMB’s explanations, the Public Accounts Committee ruled that the N3.602 billion must be remitted within 30 days, and JAMB is required to provide proof of payment. The committee underscored the importance of adhering to financial regulations.
Clarification on UTME Fees
In a related development, JAMB has refuted claims of an increase in registration fees for the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). The cost remains N3,500, unchanged since its reduction from N5,000 in 2018.
JAMB’s Public Communication Advisor, Fabian Benjamin, explained that despite rising operational costs, the board has maintained the fee to avoid overburdening candidates. He also clarified that JAMB provides free access to the “Use of English” reading text via a QR code to help candidates save on costs.
The confusion regarding a fee increase arose from JAMB’s cashless policy, which integrates payments to CBT centres into a single transaction. This includes a N700 registration fee, N1,500 examination fee, and N1,500 for the optional Mock-UTME, but the core UTME e-PIN fee remains fixed at N3,500. These additional fees are collected on behalf of CBT centres to prevent exploitation, ensuring transparency in the process.
