The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has dismissed allegations of excessive spending on meals, fumigation, and other expenses in 2024, describing such claims as baseless and misleading.
Appearing before the Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on Finance on Monday, January 13, 2025, JAMB clarified that its presentation was solely focused on the 2025 budget proposal.
“It is crucial to note that what we presented was not the 2024 expenditure but the 2025 budget proposal,” the Board stated, emphasizing that no expenditures of N1.1 billion for feeding or N850 million for fumigation were presented for 2024.
The Board further explained that the provision of one meal per day for its 2,300 staff members nationwide is an initiative aimed at addressing operational challenges.
“This measure is to ensure staff remain efficient in their sensitive responsibilities while minimizing their exposure to the public during work hours,” JAMB noted, adding that the initiative was approved after extensive consultations and consistent requests from employees.
On the N850 million allocation for outsourced services in the 2025 budget, JAMB clarified that the amount covers the emolument of 386 security personnel and 194 cleaners engaged across its offices nationwide.
“Out of this, only N2 million is earmarked for fumigation services, contrary to the exaggerated claims being circulated,” the Board said. It also highlighted that the proposed budget reflects recent government-mandated salary reviews, with the lowest-paid security personnel and cleaners set to earn significantly higher wages.
Regarding the N6.4 billion earmarked for “Local Travel and Transport (Training),” JAMB explained that the amount accounts for the deployment of over 10,500 officials for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and mock tests. The Board stated that this classification aligns with the mandated template for Government Owned Enterprises (GOEs). “The detailed breakdown of these expenditures was included in our submission, but we were not permitted to elaborate during the session,” JAMB said.
The Board reiterated its commitment to prudent financial management, emphasizing that all operational costs are covered by its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), with government funding limited to salaries for pensionable staff. “JAMB remains steadfast in aligning with the expectations of the nation’s leadership and will continue to act transparently,” it assured.
