…Pledges seamless examination process

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has allocated N397,030,900 as transport allowances for the 1,909 officials involved in the upcoming 2025 Mock Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

This allocation is aimed at facilitating the smooth running of the examination, which is scheduled to take place on April 10, 2025.

The payment, marking the first installment of the allowance distribution, covers a third of the total number of officials expected to participate in the exercise.

During a strategic meeting convened to assess JAMB’s readiness for both the mock and main UTME, Mufutau Bello, the Director of Finance at JAMB, stressed the vital role of the mock examination in safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s education system.

“The mock exercise is the first phase of our core mandate, and we must, as always, set ourselves apart. The nation depends on the success of this exercise; any lapses could damage the credibility of our education system,” Bello remarked.

The distribution of the transport allowance forms part of JAMB’s commitment to ensuring the successful delivery of both the mock and main UTME, a crucial part of Nigeria’s higher education framework.

Bello explained that the amount of N397,030,900 allocated thus far represents only the first phase of the total disbursement, accounting for one-third of the total officials involved. The remaining amount will be used to pay the rest of the officials participating in the nationwide exercise.

Further underlining the importance of the examinations, Bello pointed out that the success of the mock UTME is foundational to maintaining the credibility of the entire examination system.

In response to public concerns regarding the local travel allowances for officials, JAMB staff clarified that such discussions often stem from a limited understanding of the complexities involved in organising a nationwide examination.

“While we recognise the concerns, it is crucial to acknowledge that the logistics of conducting an examination of this scale are extensive, and these allowances are part of the careful planning and resources required to maintain the integrity of the process,” said a senior staff member.

JAMB staff have reaffirmed their dedication to ensuring the success of both the mock and the main UTME.