The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has refuted claims that it was questioned by the National Assembly over alleged spending of N9 billion on meals, refreshments, and security. In a statement by its spokesperson, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, JAMB clarified that it appeared before the Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on Finance on January 13, 2025, solely to defend its 2025 budget proposal, not its 2024 expenditures.
“It is crucial to note that what JAMB presented, on the prompting of the Committee, was not the 2024 expenditure but the 2025 budget proposal,” Dr. Benjamin stated.
“Claims regarding huge spending in 2024 on meals, fumigation, security, or cleaning are entirely baseless.”
Dr. Benjamin explained key provisions in the budget, including:
1. Meals for Staff
JAMB plans to provide one meal per day for its 2,300 staff members nationwide, including cleaners and security personnel, on all working days in 2025. Vendors have requested an increase in the cost of meals from N1,200 to N2,200 per staff member due to rising food prices.
As a result, JAMB has budgeted N1.1 billion for meals, slightly below the projected cost of N1.27 billion. This initiative aims to reduce staff exposure to the public during working hours and safeguard critical ICT infrastructure.
2. Outsourced Cleaning and Security
JAMB has proposed N850 million for outsourced cleaners, security personnel, cleaning materials, and fumigation services. This includes the salaries of 386 security personnel and 194 cleaners across JAMB’s 40+ offices and centers nationwide.
Of this amount, only N2 million is allocated for fumigation in 2025, compared to less than N1 million in 2024. The budget reflects a government-mandated salary review, raising security personnel salaries to a minimum of N70,000 and doubling cleaners’ pay from N30,000.
3. Local Travel and Training
JAMB has earmarked N6.4 billion for local travel and transport costs associated with training over 10,500 staff and officials who will oversee the 2025 UTME mock examination and related activities. This allocation follows the Government-Owned Enterprises (GOEs) budgeting template, which requires such expenditures to be categorized under specific headings.
Dr. Benjamin stressed that the figures in question represent budget projections, not actual expenditures for 2024. He also noted that JAMB’s operations, excluding the salaries of pensionable staff, are entirely funded through its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
“JAMB is a self-sustaining institution. All capital, overhead, and operational costs are funded by the Board’s IGR, while the government only pays the salaries of its pensionable staff,” he said.
