NASS commends JAMB as Oloyede presents 2023/2024 budget performance

The National Assembly has expressed its confidence in the leadership of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to effectively fulfill its statutory responsibilities.

According to the weekly bulletin by the board, Monday, this affirmation came from Senator Dandutse Muntari Muhammed, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND, during the committee’s oversight visit to JAMB on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.

Senator Muhammed explained that the visit was part of the committee’s statutory duties, primarily aimed at reviewing JAMB’s budget performance for the 2023/2024 fiscal year. 

The review is intended to ensure transparency, accountability, and effective use of resources allocated to JAMB and other institutions under the committee’s jurisdiction.

He noted that JAMB has played a significant role in shaping Nigeria’s educational landscape by effectively coordinating and facilitating admissions into the nation’s tertiary institutions. 

“The Board’s commitment to fairness, transparency, and accountability is evident through various reforms designed to enhance its processes and ensure that merit-based admissions remain central to Nigeria’s education system,” he stated.

The Chairman commended JAMB for its introduction of digital registration processes, biometric verification, and the adoption of appropriate technology to transform its examination and admission procedures. 

These advancements, he added, have not only restored public confidence in JAMB’s operations but have also positioned Nigeria as a global leader in the use of technology for educational assessments.

Earlier, JAMB Registrar Prof. Is-haq Oloyede expressed gratitude to the committee for its support, which has significantly contributed to the Board’s improved performance.

Prof. Oloyede then presented an overview of JAMB’s budget performance for the 2023/2024 fiscal year, following the template requested by the committee. 

His presentation included details on gross salary, actual versus projected budget performance, capital expenditures, remittances, personnel costs, Internal Generated Revenue (IGR), and registration analysis.

Additionally, the Registrar highlighted the disruptive impact of a 25% outright deduction from the Board’s revenue, particularly given JAMB’s non-profit status in administering third-party examinations. 

He indicated the Board’s readiness to engage with the Federal Ministry of Finance on this issue, which has resulted in over N800 million being deducted from the Board’s funds.

Impressed by the Registrar’s thorough presentation, the committee deemed it detailed and self-explanatory, ultimately passing a vote of confidence in JAMB and the administration of Prof. Oloyede.