The Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund on Wednesday engaged officials of the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB), raising concerns over examination charges, technical failures, and access to tertiary education, especially for students in rural communities.
During the session, Amos Yohanna (PDP/Adamawa North) criticised what he described as increasing financial pressure on candidates amid economic hardship. He questioned the justification for the fees charged by the board, noting that many families are grappling with poverty.
Lawmakers also pointed to recent technical issues encountered by candidates attempting to access JAMB’s portal, asking the board to outline measures being implemented to improve system efficiency and user experience.
Admission Process, Revenue Remittance
The Committee Chairman, Mohammed Dandutse (APC/Katsina South), urged the examination body to enhance coordination across the tertiary admission process. He observed that students frequently face difficulties securing admission into universities and other higher institutions due to inadequate synergy among stakeholders.
Dandutse further stressed the importance of ensuring that revenue generated by the board is fully remitted to the Federation Account in line with financial regulations to guarantee transparency and sustainability.
Other senators queried JAMB over its reported increase in budget allocation to over one billion naira. They sought clarification on whether the increase was meant for staff recruitment and requested a breakdown of the proposed expenditure framework.
Rural Access, 2025 Admission Cycle
Lawmakers highlighted the challenges faced by candidates in rural communities, noting limited access to registration and examination facilities.
In response, JAMB officials disclosed plans to establish additional Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres nationwide to ease access constraints, particularly in underserved areas.
The board revealed that approximately one million candidates are expected to participate in the 2025 admission cycle, marking a significant rise in enrollment figures.
JAMB also announced a proposed Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of ₦23.8 billion for the 2026 fiscal year.
What You Should Know
The Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund has questioned JAMB over examination fees, portal glitches, and rural access to tertiary education.
Lawmakers demanded improved coordination in admissions, transparency in revenue remittance, and clarity on the board’s increased budget.
JAMB, in response, pledged to expand CBT centres nationwide and projected one million candidates for the 2025 admission cycle, alongside a proposed ₦23.8 billion IGR for 2026.
