Jane Salihu
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has projected ₦23.8 billion as internally generated revenue (IGR) for the 2026 fiscal year, marking a ₦4 billion increase over its 2025 target.
The revenue projection formed part of the Board’s 2026 budget proposal presented to the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund.
The presentation was made by Dr. Muftau Bello, a Director in the Office of the Registrar, on behalf of the Registrar, Ishaq Oloyede.
According to the Board, out of the ₦23.8 billion projected as IGR for 2026, ₦6 billion will be remitted to the Federation Account as operating surplus.
Dr. Bello explained that JAMB is proposing a total budget profile of ₦30.6 billion for the 2026 fiscal year. He noted that while ₦23.8 billion is expected to be generated internally, ₦6 billion will be paid into the Federal Government’s coffers in line with statutory requirements.
Giving an account of the agency’s 2025 budget performance, the Director disclosed that ₦18.5 billion was generated as IGR during the year, out of which ₦4 billion was remitted to the Federation Account as operating surplus.
On preparations for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), he revealed that 1,000 examination centres have been created across the country. The figure, he said, represents a significant increase compared to the fewer than 800 centres utilised for the 2025 exercise.
Members of the Senate Committee, led by its Chairman, Senator Muntari Dandutse, commended JAMB’s financial performance and operational efficiency under Professor Oloyede’s leadership, expressing satisfaction with the agency’s transparency and remittance record.
However, Senator
Yohanna Amos, representing Adamawa North, urged the Board to consider reducing its current examination fee of ₦3,500 to ease the burden on candidates and their families.
Responding to the concern, Dr. Bello noted that the examination fee was previously ₦5,000 before being reduced to ₦3,500 by the current Registrar, adding that the Board has consistently worked to balance affordability with the cost of delivering credible examinations to nationwide.
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