The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) says it has remitted more than N50 billion as operating surplus to the Federal Government over the past 10 years.
JAMB’s Public Communication Adviser, Dr Fabian Benjamin, disclosed this during a virtual dialogue organised by the Education Writers’ Association of Nigeria, where he reviewed the board’s performance under the leadership of the Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede.
Benjamin explained that the remittances were made in line with government regulations requiring agencies to return part of their operating surplus to the Federal Government. He stressed that the board should not be seen as a revenue-generating agency because the funds were remitted in compliance with the law.
He attributed the board’s ability to generate savings to the introduction of technology and cost-saving reforms under Oloyede’s administration. According to him, JAMB reduced the cost of conducting the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) by replacing the expensive Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) system with telecommunication-based connectivity using SIM cards.
Benjamin said the change cut examination connectivity costs from about N1.2 billion to less than N100 million, allowing the board to operate more efficiently while maintaining the integrity of its examinations.
He added that reforms such as computer-based testing, biometric verification and mock examinations have helped reduce impersonation and other forms of examination malpractice.
The JAMB spokesman, however, hinted that the current UTME registration fee of N3,500 may be reviewed due to rising operational costs. He noted that the fee, which was reduced from N5,000 in 2018 following cost savings, may no longer be sustainable because of increasing expenses, including payments to accredited Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres.
Despite the possibility of a review, Benjamin maintained that JAMB still charges one of the lowest examination fees globally and said any future increase would be based on economic realities rather than an attempt to generate more revenue.
Prof. Oloyede’s tenure as JAMB Registrar ends on July 31, 2026, while Prof. Segun Aina is expected to assume office on August 1, 2026.
