Reps to probe JAMB, agents over multiple processing fees imposed on millions of candidates yearly

In response to public outcry, the House of Representatives, on Wednesday, unveiled plans to probe the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and its accredited agents over the imposition of multiple processing and or administration fees on millions of candidates on yearly basis.

The resolution was passed sequel to the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon Sergius Ose Ogun, who called for the House intervention.

Hon Ogun explained that Section 88(1) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) empowers the National Assembly to conduct investigations into the activities of any authority executing or administering laws made by the National Assembly.

“Pursuant to Section 5(1)(a) of the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board Act, the Board was established to, among other things, control the conduct of matriculation examinations for candidates seeking admission into Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education in Nigeria.

“In recent times, in addition to the registration fees for the examination, all sorts of processing and/or administrative fees are imposed on JAMB examination candidates.”

He informed the House that for every other service, apart from the JAMB Registration provided in relation to the examination, and administrative fee is imposed by JAMB, which does not include the CBT Centre Service Charge collected by JAMB accredited CBT Centers and some of the charges.

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The services fees include: Application for Transfer – N7,000; Change of Admission Letter with Registration Number – N5,000; Application for correction of data (like date of birth, etc) – N2,500; Printing of JAMB Result Slip 1,000; Printing of JAMB Admission Letter – N1,000; Change of Institution/Course – N2,500; and Retrieving of JAMB Registration Number – N1,000.

Hon Ogun further explained that by the provisions of the Act, JAMB is an examination conducting body and not primarily a revenue-generating organ of the Federal Government.

“JAMB Candidates who are not privileged to afford the charges/fees suffer undue hardships and ultimately lose out from taking the examination.

“Majority of the candidates dwell in villages, often without CBT accredited Centres and as such, would have to travel long distances and incur additional transportation costs in order to register for the examination or carry out a JAMB related service offered only in a CBT Centre,” he stated.

To this end, the House mandated the joint Committees on Basic Education, Tertiary Education and Services to investigate the multiple processing and/or administrative fees imposed by JAMB and its accredited agents on JAMB candidates and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.

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Reps to probe JAMB, agents over multiple processing fees imposed on millions of candidates yearly