The House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education has lauded the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for upholding transparency in its financial transactions and overall operations. This commendation came during an interactive session held in Abuja on Wednesday, chaired by Hon. Oforji Oboku, with the participation of JAMB’s management and a representative from the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF).
JAMB presented a comprehensive 392-page document encompassing audited accounts from 2019 to 2022, procurement details, budget performance, evidence of remittances, among other pertinent information. Expressing satisfaction with the transparency demonstrated by JAMB, committee member Sina Oyedeji stated, “I must commend the entire management (of JAMB). We know what records said before they assumed office; we know what records are saying now. The transparency efforts of the organization, the changes we have seen in revenue, the remittances, JAMB, we still say kudos to you.”
Despite the positive acknowledgment, the committee identified minor discrepancies in the financial records presented by JAMB and those of the Accountant General’s Office. Consequently, a “unit committee” was established to investigate the reasons behind these discrepancies.
Responding to concerns raised, JAMB’s registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, explained that some of the differences were attributed to payment charges not being recorded by the Accountant General’s Office. He clarified, “For example, when we paid N10, we report N10, but the portal through which the payment was made will deduct charges and record the net. While we record the gross, they are recording the net, and this accounts for those discrepancies. That is why reconciliation is necessary.”
In her presentation, Anum Lucy, the representative of the Accountant General of the Federation, disclosed that JAMB initiated its yearly remittances to the Federal Government’s account with N7.8 billion in 2017. The subsequent years saw varying amounts, with 2018 at N5.2 billion, 2019 at N3.6 billion, 2020 at N3.8 billion, 2021 at N3.5 billion, and 2022 at N3.1 billion.
Furthermore, the Committee decided to invite Zenith Bank Plc to address a disagreement with JAMB regarding their past transactions.
