_JAMB Clarifies 2025 Budget Proposal During Defence Before National Assembly_

_JAMB Clarifies 2025 Budget Proposal During Defence Before National Assembly_

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has provided clarification on its 2025 budget proposal during a defence session before the National Assembly. This move comes after the National Assembly threatened to halt JAMB's federal grant due to concerns over its 2025 budget proposal.

_Background of the Controversy_

The controversy surrounding JAMB's budget proposal began when the National Assembly Joint Committee on Finance raised concerns about a N1 billion discrepancy in JAMB's budget. The committee alleged that JAMB's budget proposal lacked transparency, prompting the threat to revoke the agency's federal grant.

_JAMB's Defence_

During the defence session, JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, addressed the concerns and provided clarification on the budget proposal. Prof. Oloyede explained that the discrepancy in the budget was due to an error in the accounting process, which had since been corrected.

Prof. Oloyede assured the National Assembly that JAMB's budget proposal was transparent and accountable, and that the agency had followed all necessary procedures in preparing the budget. He also provided detailed explanations of JAMB's expenditure and revenue projections for the 2025 fiscal year.

_Key Points of JAMB's Budget Proposal_

JAMB's 2025 budget proposal includes several key components, including:

1. *Examination Costs*: JAMB has budgeted N5.9 billion for examination costs, including the cost of printing examination materials, hiring invigilators, and renting examination centers.

2. *Personnel Costs*: JAMB has budgeted N4.2 billion for personnel costs, including salaries, allowances, and benefits for its staff.

3. *Capital Expenditure*: JAMB has budgeted N2.5 billion for capital expenditure, including the purchase of new equipment, renovation of examination centers, and construction of new offices.

4. *Overhead Costs*: JAMB has budgeted N1.8 billion for overhead costs, including rent, utilities, and other miscellaneous expenses.

_Implications of the Budget Proposal_

JAMB's 2025 budget proposal has significant implications for the administration of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). The budget proposal will determine the number of candidates that can be accommodated, the quality of examination materials, and the overall efficiency of the examination process.

_Conclusion_

In conclusion, JAMB's clarification of its 2025 budget proposal during the defence session before the National Assembly is a welcome development. The agency's transparency and accountability in preparing its budget proposal are essential in ensuring that the UTME is conducted efficiently and effectively. As the National Assembly continues to scrutinize JAMB's budget proposal, it is essential that the agency remains committed to transparency and accountability.