The Nigerian Senate has questioned the ₦3,500 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) fee charged by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), describing it as burdensome for many families amid prevailing economic hardship.
The concerns were raised during the board’s budget defence session, where lawmakers examined JAMB’s financial estimates and operational framework.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions, Amos Yohanna, urged the examination body to consider further reducing the fee to promote fairness and broaden access to higher education. He stressed that affordability must remain a priority, especially as many households continue to struggle with rising living costs.
Senators also pointed to operational difficulties faced by candidates, including technical issues during registration and examinations. They expressed concern over the limited number of Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres in several parts of the country, particularly rural areas, noting that some candidates are compelled to travel long distances to sit for the examination.
In addition, lawmakers scrutinised JAMB’s projected internally generated revenue of about ₦23.8 billion for 2026. The Senate called for improved transparency and accountability in the agency’s financial management, warning that revenue ambitions should not place additional strain on students and their families.
In response, JAMB officials stated that the UTME fee had already been reduced from ₦5,000 to ₦3,500 in recent years. They added that the board is working to expand CBT centres nationwide and enhance examination processes to ensure smoother and more inclusive participation.
Despite these assurances, the Senate maintained that further reforms are necessary to reduce financial pressure on candidates and strengthen the integrity and efficiency of Nigeria’s tertiary admissions system.
The debate underscores mounting concerns about access to higher education, as stakeholders advocate policies that strike a balance between cost recovery and social responsibility.
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