JAMB PROJECTS N23.8BN REVENUE, INCREASES UTME CENTRES NATIONWIDE

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By: Balogun Ibrahim

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) on Wednesday informed the Senate that it is targeting ₦23.8 billion in internally generated revenue (IGR) for the 2026 fiscal year, representing a ₦4 billion increase from its 2025 projection.

The revenue target was highlighted as part of JAMB’s 2026 budget estimates presented to the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund.

The presentation was delivered by Dr Muftau Bello, a Director in the office of the Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede.

Dr Bello revealed that ₦6 billion of the projected revenue would be remitted to the Federation Account as operating surplus.

“A total budget of ₦30.6 billion is proposed by JAMB for 2026, with ₦23.8 billion expected to be generated internally and ₦6 billion remitted to the Federation Account as operating surplus,” he stated.

The agency also reported on its 2025 budget performance, telling the committee, chaired by Senator Muntari Dandutse, that it generated ₦18.5 billion in internally generated revenue and remitted ₦4 billion to the Federation Account as operating surplus.

On preparations for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), the director revealed that JAMB has established 1,000 examination centres nationwide, a significant increase from the fewer than 800 centres used in 2025.

He explained that the expansion is intended to enhance access and streamline logistics for candidates across the country.

Committee members praised JAMB’s financial performance and operational growth under the leadership of Registrar Professor Ishaq Oloyede, giving the examination body a commendable rating.

However, Senator Yohanna Amos of Adamawa North urged the board to consider further reducing the examination fee, which currently stands at ₦3,500.

In response, the director noted that the fee had previously been ₦5,000 before the current registrar lowered it to ₦3,500.