The House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education and Examination Bodies has received all documents demanded from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, signalling a new phase in the ongoing investigation into the problems that marred the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.
The documents were submitted during the committee’s latest sitting at the National Assembly, Abuja, where lawmakers reaffirmed their commitment to a thorough review of JAMB’s operations, finances and service delivery.
Committee Chairman, Hon. Oboku Oforji, reminded members and agencies that the probe followed a motion of urgent public importance adopted by the House on 15 May 2025. According to him, the wide-ranging failures reported during the 2025 UTME made it necessary for Parliament to intervene and insist on structural reforms.
He explained that the committee’s mandate covers scrutiny of JAMB’s budget implementation, Internally Generated Revenue from 2023 till date, evidence of remittances to the Consolidated Revenue Fund, as well as the board’s full bank statements.
Oforji said the goal is to guarantee transparency and improve assessment standards nationwide, adding that lawmakers will push for at least one Computer-Based Test centre in each of Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.
“This is not a witch-hunt. It is our constitutional duty,” he stated, urging all agencies to cooperate fully with document requests and appearances before the committee. “We encourage all agencies to fully cooperate by responding to document requests and participating in our briefings. This cooperation is crucial for us to carry out our duties effectively as a Parliament,” he added.
The chairman expressed displeasure over an incident at an earlier session where JAMB officials led by Mr Muftau Bello walked out after being asked to introduce themselves. Describing the action as unacceptable, he warned that the committee would not tolerate disrespect from any agency.
“We condemn the action of the Board’s officials led by Mr Muftau Bello on October 29, 2025. We will not allow ministries or agencies intimidate or show disrespect to the Parliament,” he said, noting that Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution empower lawmakers to conduct oversight.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, used the opportunity to apologise for the walkout and distanced himself from the conduct of the officials involved. “As someone who has served this country in various capacities, I have enormous respect for authorities, especially the Parliament. I would not do or allow anything that undermines its authority,” he told the lawmakers.
Oloyede confirmed that every document demanded by the committee has now been submitted.
The committee is expected to reconvene after completing its review of the materials, paving the way for the next phase of the UTME probe.
