The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee, has directed the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), to remit over ₦3 billion to the Federal Government’s Consolidated Revenue Fund.
Committee Chairman, Mr. Bamidele Salam, issued the directive during a hearing, following concerns raised by Mr. Bello Aliyu, a representative of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC). According to Aliyu, JAMB’s liability as of 2022 had exceeded ₦3 billion, and despite notifications sent to JAMB via letters on March 14, 2024, and August 31, 2024, no response was received.
“As of 2021, JAMB’s liability was ₦390,725,324. However, their 2022 audited financial statement revealed new liabilities amounting to ₦3,602,605,277,” Aliyu explained.
Responding, JAMB’s Director of Finance and Administration, Mr. Mufutau Bello, clarified that the discrepancy arose from FRC’s push to increase JAMB’s revenue remittance to 50%. He highlighted that JAMB had consistently remitted 25% of its revenue and had reduced registration fees from ₦5,000 to ₦3,500 in 2019 to ease the financial burden on Nigerians.
The Committee criticized JAMB for its failure to respond to FRC’s letters and ordered JAMB to remit the outstanding ₦3 billion within 30 days and provide proof of payment. The Committee also instructed the Investment and Security Tribunal to remit over ₦6 million to the Federal Government within seven days.
- RN.