JAMB faults claims of ‘humongous spending’ on meals, fumigation, others in 2024 – Newstrends
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JAMB faults claims of ‘humongous spending’ on meals, fumigation, others in 2024

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Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Ishaq Oloyede

JAMB faults claims of ‘humongous spending’ on meals, fumigation, others in 2024

The Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, has clarified figures in the 2025 budget proposal presented to the National Assembly Joint Committee on Finance.

Oloyede, while fielding questions from newsmen on the sidelines of an event in Abuja on Tuesday, dismissed reports making the rounds that the board spent huge amount on fumigation and meals, among other items in 2024.

Oloyede stated that the board’s total expenditure for fumigation across all states in 2024 was less than N1 million.

He said that what was presented before the committee was not the 2024 expenditure but the 2025 budget proposal.

He added that claims regarding humongous spending in 2024 on meals or fumigation, security and cleaning were totally unfounded.

“I want to say emphatically, without any iota of doubt, that I never presented any budget performance of 2024 before the National Assembly yesterday. I think it’s a lot of misunderstanding.

“I did not talk about 2024 budget performance. And we did not spend any money, any humongous money in 2024.

“Indeed, what we spent on fumigation in the whole state of the federation, all offices in 2024, not up to N1 million. And what we budgeted for 2025 for fumigation is less than N2 million,” he said.

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Oloyede explained that the misunderstanding arose because the detailed breakdown of the budget proposal was not fully reviewed during the presentation.

On the N6.5 billion allegedly spent on training in 2024, Oloyede said the money was just a proposal for 2025 that cut across various budget lines.

He added that this included monitoring of examination, admission expenses, e-facilities payment and awards for best higher education institutions.

Education

NANS demands student representation on NELFUND board

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Managing Director of NELFUND, Akintunde Sawyerr

NANS demands student representation on NELFUND board

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has strongly protested its exclusion from the board of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

In the letter dated February 13, 2025, and titled ‘Final Demand for Student Representation in the Scheduled NELFUND Board’ addressed to the Managing Director of NELFUND, Akintunde Sawyerr, and the Board Chairman, Jim Ovia, described the exclusion as “completely unacceptable.”

NANS President, Lucky Emonefe, insisted on the immediate inclusion of a student representative in the board meeting, warning of severe consequences if their demand was ignored.

Emonefe likened the exclusion of students from the NELFUND board to “shaving a man’s head in his absence.”

According to Emonefe, the exclusion of students from a board managing their loan fund is unjust and disregards the primary stakeholders in the education sector.

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“We are writing to express our deep concern and outright discontent over the exclusion of students from the scheduled board meeting of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund,” Emonefe stated. 

“The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), as the apex student body representing over 50 million students across the country, will not stand idly by while critical decisions affecting our future are made in our absence,” Emonefe stated. 

He emphasized that students are the direct beneficiaries of the fund and should have a say in how it is administered.

“As the primary stakeholders and direct beneficiaries of NELFUND, it is completely unacceptable that students are sidelined from deliberations that shape the administration and disbursement of student loans. 

“This fund was created for Nigerian students, and we will have a voice in how it is managed,” he stated. 

Emonefe made it clear that NANS was not making a mere request but a firm demand, vowing to disrupt the board meeting if students were not included.

“We are demanding, not requesting, the immediate inclusion of a student representative in this board meeting. 

“Failure to accommodate this legitimate and reasonable demand will result in the total shutdown of the meeting venue by Nigerian students,” he said. 

He further stated that NANS would mobilize its members to ensure that no meeting takes place unless student representation is secured.

NANS demands student representation on NELFUND board

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Poly students oppose conversion of YABATECH to varsity

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Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech)

Poly students oppose conversion of YABATECH to varsity

The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) has rejected the proposed conversion of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Lagos, into a university, arguing that the move would undermine the essence of polytechnic education.

Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced on Friday that President Bola Tinubu had approved the conversion of YABATECH into a university. During a visit to the institution, Alausa highlighted that YABATECH, with over 200 doctorate-holding staff, was well-equipped for the transition.

However, NAPS President, Eshiofune Oghayan, in a statement released in Kaduna on Saturday, criticised the decision, emphasising that converting polytechnics into universities would erode their core mission of providing hands-on, industrial-based training.

“We reject the proposed conversion of YABATECH into a university. Polytechnic institutions like YABATECH play a crucial role in bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and industrial application. They emphasise hands-on experience, problem-solving, and innovation, which are essential for Nigeria’s industrialisation and economic diversification,” Oghayan stated.

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He stressed that rather than eliminating polytechnics, the government should fully implement the Higher National Diploma (HND) to Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) transition. According to NAPS, this would grant polytechnic graduates internationally recognised degrees, enhancing their competitiveness in the global job market.

Oghayan also pointed to global best practices, noting that developed nations like Germany, China, Canada and the UK have thriving technical education sectors that drive industrial growth.

As an alternative, NAPS proposed the elevation of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) into a Polytechnic Education Commission. The statement said this would strengthen polytechnic education by ensuring better funding, policy implementation and clear career progression pathways for graduates.

The association urged the Federal Government to engage stakeholders in a comprehensive reform plan to enhance technical education. It also appealed to President Tinubu to reconsider the YABATECH conversion, advocating for modernisation instead of elimination.

“We will not fold our arms and watch as the government undermines the future of polytechnic education in Nigeria. We will mobilize our members to resist this move and ensure that the government prioritizes the development of polytechnic education,” Oghayan warned.

Poly students oppose conversion of YABATECH to varsity

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NECO blacklists 14 exam centres for cheating

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Students writing NECO Examination

NECO blacklists 14 exam centres for cheating

The National Examinations Council (NECO) has sanctioned 14 examination centres for engaging in malpractice across nine subjects in the 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination (External).

NECO Registrar, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, made this known during a press briefing at the Council’s headquarters in Minna, Niger State, while announcing the results of the examination.

Wushishi revealed that 10 of the blacklisted centres were in Ogun State, while the remaining four were in Oyo State.

According to Wushishi, the names of the affected centres and supervisors will be forwarded to other examination bodies for further action.

“The number of candidates booked for various forms of malpractice is 6,169, compared to 8,518 in 2023, representing a 27.7 per cent decrease.

“Seven supervisors—two each from Oyo and Ogun, and one each from Lagos, Cross River, and Ebonyi—were recommended for blacklisting due to poor supervision, lateness, and aiding and abetting malpractice during the examination.

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“Fourteen centres — 10 in Ogun and four in Oyo — were blacklisted for whole-centre malpractice across nine subjects.

“The Federal Ministry of Education has mandated that the names of these centres and supervisors involved in malpractice be sent to sister examination bodies, including JAMB and WAEC,” Wushishi said.

A total of 86,067 candidates registered for the examination, comprising 44,988 males and 41,079 females. Out of this number, 84,799 candidates sat for the exams.

“62,929 candidates, representing 75.62 per cent, sat for English Language and scored credit and above, while 77,988 candidates, representing 93.94 per cent, obtained five credits and above in Mathematics.

“The number of candidates who secured five credits and above, including English Language and Mathematics, is 57,114, representing 63.35 per cent.

“Meanwhile, 70,711 candidates, representing 83.39 per cent, obtained five credits and above, irrespective of English Language and Mathematics,” Wushishi added.

NECO blacklists 14 exam centres for cheating

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