JAMB remits over N50bn to FG in decade, defends operating surplus

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has remitted more than N50 billion to the Federal Government as operating surplus over the past 10 years, according to the board’s Public Communication Adviser, Dr Fabian Benjamin.

Benjamin disclosed this during a virtual dialogue organised by the Education Writers’ Association of Nigeria, where stakeholders reviewed the 2026 admission policy and assessed the board’s performance under the leadership of its Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede.

Speaking during the session, Benjamin clarified that the remittances should not be interpreted as evidence that JAMB was established as a revenue-generating agency.

According to him, government regulations require ministries, departments and agencies to remit part of their operating surplus to the Federal Government, irrespective of whether they are revenue-generating institutions.

He explained that JAMB’s remittances were made in compliance with existing financial regulations and not because the board was established to generate income.

Benjamin noted that although he could not immediately provide the exact cumulative figure, the board had returned over N50 billion to the Federal Government within the last decade.

He attributed the financial savings to reforms introduced under Oloyede’s administration, particularly the deployment of technology and measures aimed at reducing operational costs.

Earlier this year, JAMB projected an internally generated revenue of N23.8 billion for the 2026 fiscal year while indicating plans to remit N6 billion as operating surplus to the Federation Account. The projection was presented by a director in the Registrar’s office, Muftau Bello, during the board’s budget defence before the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund.

Reflecting on reforms introduced since 2016, Benjamin recalled that the board replaced the Very Small Aperture Terminal connectivity previously used for examinations with telecommunications-based systems powered by SIM cards.

He said the transition drastically reduced the cost of providing examination connectivity nationwide from about N1.2 billion to less than N100 million.

According to him, the registrar had initially approached service providers to reduce the cost of the existing technology, but after negotiations failed, the board opted for an alternative system that proved significantly cheaper and more efficient.

Benjamin acknowledged that the transition was not without challenges, citing technical issues experienced during the first mock Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination conducted under the new arrangement in 2017.

He, however, maintained that the reforms had since improved the board’s operations while strengthening the credibility of its examinations.

He also credited initiatives such as computer-based testing, biometric verification and the introduction of mock examinations with reducing impersonation and other forms of examination malpractice.

Benjamin further hinted that the current UTME registration fee of N3,500 may be reviewed in view of rising operating costs.

He explained that the fee was reduced from N5,000 to N3,500 in 2018 following the savings realised through the board’s reforms, but noted that prevailing economic realities could make the current rate unsustainable.

While no decision has been taken, he said an upward review would not come as a surprise if operational expenses continue to increase.

He insisted that JAMB still charges one of the lowest examination fees globally, stressing that the current fee only covers the basic cost of conducting the examination.

Benjamin also pointed out that part of the registration fee is paid to accredited Computer-Based Test centres, most of which are privately owned.

According to him, several CBT centre operators have complained that their current remuneration is no longer adequate due to increasing expenses, including the rising cost of diesel and other operational requirements.

He emphasised that any future adjustment to the examination fee would be driven by economic realities and the cost of administering the examination rather than an attempt to boost government revenue.

Oloyede is expected to complete his tenure as JAMB Registrar on July 31, 2026, while Prof. Segun Aina is scheduled to assume office on August 1, 2026.