The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has projected N23.8 billion as internally generated revenue (IGR) for the 2026 fiscal year, reflecting a N4 billion increase from its 2025 estimate.

The projection was unveiled during the agency’s 2026 budget defence at the National Assembly before the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND, chaired by Muntari Dandutse.

Presenting on behalf of the Registrar, a director in the office, Dr. Muftau Bello, disclosed that N6 billion from the projected revenue would be remitted to the Federation Account as operating surplus. He added that JAMB is proposing a total budget of N30.6 billion for 2026, with N23.8 billion expected from internal sources.

Reviewing the board’s 2025 performance, Bello stated that JAMB generated N18.5 billion in IGR and remitted N4 billion to the Federal Government.

On preparations for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), he revealed that the number of accredited examination centres nationwide has been increased to 1,000, up from fewer than 800 in 2025. The expansion, he explained, is designed to enhance access, reduce congestion, and improve candidates’ examination experience.

Committee members praised the agency’s financial prudence and operational efficiency under the leadership of Registrar, Professor Oloyede. However, Yohanna Amos urged the board to consider further reducing the N3,500 UTME registration fee in light of current economic challenges.

In response, Bello noted that the fee had already been reduced from N5,000 to N3,500 by the present administration, underscoring the board’s efforts to ease the burden on candidates and their families.