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JAMB Refutes Claims of ₦9 Billion Expenditure on Meals, Security, and More

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has dismissed claims that the National Assembly questioned the Board over an alleged ₦9 billion expenditure on meals, refreshments, and security.

In a statement issued by its spokesperson, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, JAMB clarified that it appeared before the Joint Committee on Finance, comprising both the Senate and House of Representatives, on January 13, 2025, to present its 2025 budget proposal as required by law.

Dr. Benjamin emphasized that the Board only presented the 2025 budget proposal, not the 2024 expenditures. He categorically rejected reports of exorbitant spending in 2024 on meals, fumigation, security, and cleaning, calling them baseless.

“There was no presentation of any 2024 expenditure for feeding or fumigation,” he said, referring to claims of ₦1.1 billion for feeding and ₦850 million for fumigation.

The spokesperson explained that the 2025 budget includes provision for one meal per day for the 2,300 staff members (including cleaners and security personnel) of JAMB nationwide, covering all working days. The cost for providing meals for these employees is projected at ₦1.27 billion, though JAMB has budgeted ₦1.1 billion to account for rising food prices.

Dr. Benjamin defended the initiative, stating it ensures staff members are well-catered for while reducing their exposure to the public and protecting ICT infrastructure. He also clarified that JAMB sought approval to provide lunch for its headquarters staff and intends to expand this provision nationwide.

Regarding the ₦850 million earmarked for outsourced cleaners, security personnel, cleaning materials, and fumigation, Dr. Benjamin noted that JAMB had engaged firms to provide 386 security personnel and 194 cleaners across its locations. He clarified that only ₦2 million of the proposed budget was allocated for fumigation services, a significant reduction from the ₦1 million spent in 2024.

The spokesperson further explained that the proposed budget reflected a recent salary review mandated by the government, with security personnel now earning a minimum of ₦70,000 and cleaners seeing their pay double from the previous ₦30,000 minimum wage.

Dr. Benjamin stressed that the budget proposal had been misconstrued as actual expenditures, clarifying that all JAMB’s capital, operational, and overhead costs are funded through its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), with the government only covering salaries of pensionable staff.

On the proposed ₦6.4 billion for “Local Travel and Transport (Training)” for over 10,500 staff and officials for the 2025 UTME mock examination and other activities, Dr. Benjamin explained that the budgeting template for Government-Owned Enterprises (GOEs) requires such expenditures to be categorized under this heading. He also noted that JAMB had provided further details on the budget in a subsequent page but was unable to explain the breakdown during the committee session.

This clarification aims to address misinformation, with JAMB reiterating that the submitted provisions were part of the 2025 budget proposal and not already incurred expenses.

 

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