By Nathaniel Zacchaeus, Abuja
The National Assembly, through its joint committee on Finance, yesterday cleared the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) of financial impropriety it earlier alleged.
The Committee, during Monday’s budget defence session, which the Registrar of JAMB, Prof Ishaq Oloyede, had with it, alleged that the examination body spent N1.1bn on meals and N850m for fumigation, which, according to it, were outrageous.
The JAMB Registrar made a spirited effort to explain how the alleged expenditures were made but was prevented from doing so and asked to furnish the committee with details of its budgetary appropriation and spending in 2024 and 2025.
The Chairman of the joint committee, Senator Sani Musa, said in a statement that, based on the latest documents submitted to the committee by JAMB, Oloyede and JAMB were wrongly accused of reckless spending.
The statement was titled: “Clarification on the JAMB Report on Revenue.”
It read, “For clarity, the comprehensive report provided by JAMB indicates that the line items mentioned during Monday’s hearing on revenue do not suggest any mismanagement or misuse of the Board’s funds.
“On the contrary, the report highlights the responsible and prudent use of resources under the leadership of the Registrar.
“The Registrar, Prof Is-haq Oloyede, deserves commendation for effectively demonstrating financial discipline and accountability in managing the Board’s resources.
“This level of stewardship serves as a model for public institutions nationwide.”
