Reps To Probe N11m Discrepancies In JAMB’s Revenue Remittances

The House of Representatives has announced plans to launch an investigation into discrepancies observed in the revenue remittances made by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to the federal government. The decision came following conflicting financial figures found in the records of JAMB and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation.

During a session with the House Committee on Basic Education and Examination Bodies, the Registrar of JAMB, Prof Ishaq Oloyede, revealed that the examination body began remitting revenue to the Consolidated Revenue Fund approximately a year after he assumed office.

Prof Oloyede disclosed specific remittance figures made by JAMB, including N7.8 billion in 2017, followed by N5.2 billion, N3.68 billion, N3.82 billion, N3.5 billion, and N3.1 billion in the years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 respectively. He further highlighted the generated internal revenue of N13.33 billion, N11.35 billion, N9.74 billion, and N12.62 billion for 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022, respectively, under his leadership.

However, the committee identified a discrepancy of about N11 million after receiving conflicting figures presented by Mrs Lucy Anom, who represented the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation. Chairman of the Committee, Afoji Obuku, called for a sub-committee to investigate these inconsistencies.

Nevertheless, JAMB raised concerns about the federal government’s automated deduction of funds from the registration fees paid by candidates sitting for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). Oloyede said that this practice significantly reduces the board’s revenue contribution to the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

“We tell the government not to pay us salaries… We generate our own monies but these auto deductions are affecting our revenue for capital projects,” Oloyede stated.

Explaining further, Oloyede highlighted a reduction in remittances of revenue to the federal government due to a decrease in examination fees for UTME candidates from 2019 to 2022.

The House committee requested JAMB to provide its annual audited accounts, procurement plans, Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) schedule, evidence of remittances, and comprehensive staff strength details, aiming to evaluate compliance with the Federal Character Principle.