The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has told the Senate it is projecting N23.8 billion as internally generated revenue (IGR) for the 2026 fiscal year, an increase of N4 billion over its 2025 target.
The revenue forecast was presented during the defence of the agency’s 2026 budget before the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund.
Speaking on behalf of the Registrar, Ishaq Oloyede, a director in his office, Dr. Muftau Bello, explained that the board is proposing a total budget profile of N30.6 billion for 2026. Out of this amount, N23.8 billion is expected to be generated internally, while N6 billion will be remitted to the Federation Account as operating surplus.
According to him, the board’s financial performance in 2025 was equally strong. JAMB generated N18.5 billion as IGR during the year and remitted N4 billion to the Federation Account.
Beyond finances, the examination body also unveiled plans to significantly expand access to its flagship exam, the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). Bello disclosed that 1,000 examination centres have been created across the country for the 2026 exercise, up from fewer than 800 centres used in 2025.
He noted that the expansion is designed to make the examination more accessible and reduce logistical challenges faced by candidates nationwide.
Members of the Senate committee, chaired by Muntari Dandutse, commended JAMB for its financial discipline and operational improvements under Oloyede’s leadership, giving the agency high marks for its performance.
However, Yohanna Amos (Adamawa North) urged the board to consider further reducing the UTME registration fee, which currently stands at N3,500.
In response, Bello reminded lawmakers that the fee had previously been N5,000 before it was reviewed downward, reflecting the board’s efforts to ease the burden on candidates and their families.
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