The House of Representatives has directed the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to remit N3.602 billion to the Federal Government Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF).

This order, given by Hon. Bamidele Salam, Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, came during an investigative hearing in Abuja.

Salam emphasised that remittance was a legal obligation and was not open to personal interpretation. “It is a matter of law or regulation,” he asserted, addressing concerns about JAMB’s contention over the percentage of revenue remitted.

The Committee has given JAMB a 30-day deadline to comply and provide evidence of payment.

The Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) had previously brought JAMB before the Committee for failing to remit its operating surplus.

FRC representative Mr Bello Aliyu revealed that JAMB’s liabilities had escalated to N3.602 billion as of 2022.

“We notified them on March 14 and again on August 31 but received no response,” he stated.

In response, JAMB’s Director of Finance and Administration, Mr Mufutau Bello, argued that the discrepancy arose from a shift from 25 percent to 50 percent remittance.

He highlighted that the government reduced JAMB’s registration fee from N5,000 to N3,500 in 2019 as part of its commitment to affordable education.

Bello contended that JAMB had adhered to a 25 per cent remittance agreement and had never remitted.

The resolution of this dispute will hinge on JAMB’s adherence to the House’s directive and the ongoing discussions with the FRC.