The Nigerian lawmakers at the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education and Examination Bodies have intensified their investigation into the chaotic 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) after the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) finally submitted requested documents at the National Assembly in Abuja. This submission followed a dramatic walkout by JAMB representatives at an earlier meeting and weeks of heightened tension over the board’s handling of reported technical failures during the 2025 UTME.
The committee Chairman Oboku Oforji, opening the session, stressed, “We encourage all agencies to fully cooperate by responding to requests for documents or information and to participate in briefings with the committee. This cooperation is crucial for us to carry out our duties effectively as a Parliament.” Oforji called attention to the Parliament’s constitutional mandate, citing Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution, which grant lawmakers oversight powers. He declared, “Parliamentarians will continue to act in line with Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution, which give us the power to carry out oversight functions. We will not allow ministries or agencies to show disrespect to the Parliament.”
Recounting the earlier walkout, Oforji directly condemned the conduct of JAMB’s representative, Mr. Muftau Bello, saying, “We condemn the action of the Board’s officials led by Mr. Muftau Bello on the 29th of October 2025. They were only asked to introduce themselves but instead staged a walkout.”
To diffuse tensions and reaffirm respect for parliamentary oversight, JAMB Registrar Prof. Is-haq Oloyede addressed the committee, tendering an apology on behalf of the agency. Prof. Oloyede stated, “I have served the nation in various capacities and hold deep respect for the Parliament. I would never endorse any act that undermines or disrespects the National Assembly,” before confirming that all requested documents had now been submitted.
In the ongoing investigation, the Committee expects JAMB to provide full explanations about its budget utilization and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from 2023 to date, including evidence of remittances to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) and its bank statements for the period. Oforji emphasized the investigation was a matter of public accountability, “not a witch-hunt.”
The committee is set to scrutinize the submitted documents and may invite JAMB officials for further questioning as lawmakers seek to uncover the causes of the widespread failures and ensure reforms, including proposals for CBT centres in all 774 local government areas, to prevent future examination crises.
