The Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) has brought the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) before the House of Representatives for failing to remit N3.602 billion to the Federal Government Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF).

According to Mr. Bello Aliyu, who represented the FRC at the House of Representatives meeting, JAMB owed N390.725 million in liabilities after the 2021 record was computed. This amount jumped to N3.602 billion following the 2022 audited financial statement.

“The new liability as of 2022 is N3.602 billion. We notified them via our letter written on March 14, and sent another reminder, which we just submitted as of August 31.

“There was no response to the letter from the board,” he said.

Rep. Bamidele Salam, the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, said the remittance demanded by the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) is not subject to personal interpretation.

He emphasized that it was a matter of law or regulation, and had nothing to do with the argument over the 25 percent and 50 percent remittance as claimed by JAMB.

The Committee unanimously ordered JAMB to pay the sum to the commission and provide evidence within 30 days.

Reacting to the verdict, Mr. Mufutau Bello, Director of Finance and Administration at JAMB, said the liabilities resulted from the increase imposed on the organization by the FRC.

He explained that the FRC wanted the board to remit 50 percent of its generated revenue.

“As an organization in 2019, because of our commitment to revenue remittance, the Federal Government reduced the cost of our registration from N5,000 to N3,500.”

This, according to him, was for the benefit of all Nigerians. He noted that JAMB had been remitting 25 percent annually and that they operate within the education sector.

“We have not increased any of our charges in the last eight years; rather, we reduced the fee from N5,000 to N3,500, which represents 30 percent of our revenue.”

“The Accountant-General always gives us the concession to remit 25 percent,” he said.

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has officially released the results of the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for school candidates.

The announcement was made on Monday, August 12, 2024, through WAEC’s official X (formerly Twitter) account and during a press briefing held in Lagos.

According to Amos Dangut, the Head of WAEC’s Nigeria National Office, a total of 1,805,216 candidates sat for the examination in Nigeria.

Out of these, 1,685,889 candidates, representing 93.39%, have had their results fully processed and released.

However, 119,327 candidates, making up 6.61%, have their results still being processed due to various issues.

In his detailed analysis of the candidates’ performance, Dangut revealed that 1,332,089 candidates, or 73.79%, obtained credit passes and above in a minimum of five subjects.

This includes passes in subjects such as English Language and Mathematics, though the statistics account for those with or without these crucial subjects.

“The performance this year has been commendable, with a significant majority of the students meeting the basic requirements for higher education and other future endeavors,” Dangut stated during the press conference.

The WAEC official also provided guidance on how candidates can check their results. Those who sat for the examination can access their results online by using the “Result Checker PIN and Serial Number” provided on the Smart Identity Cards issued during the examination.

This process allows for quick and easy access to their scores from the comfort of their homes.

Furthermore, Dangut assured that the hard copies of certificates for candidates whose results have been fully processed will be ready within the next 90 days.

“We are committed to ensuring that the certificates are made available in the shortest possible time to facilitate the next steps in the academic or career journeys of these young candidates,” he said.

The release of the 2024 WASSCE results marks a crucial milestone for millions of students across West Africa who rely on these results to progress into higher education or various professional fields.

The impressive performance, with nearly three-quarters of candidates achieving five credits or more, underscores the continued importance of the WASSCE as a gateway to future opportunities.

Candidates and their families are encouraged to promptly check their results and begin preparing for the next stages of their educational or career paths.

The availability of certificates within 90 days also provides a clear timeline for those planning to use their results for immediate applications to universities, colleges, or job opportunities.

The National Education Loan Fund (NELFund) officially launched on Wednesday, a significant step in providing financial aid to students across Nigeria.

However, the initiative faces skepticism, particularly from the southern states.

President Bola Tinubu inaugurated the first tranche of funds, amounting to N32 billion, aimed at empowering Nigerian youth and breaking financial barriers to education.

The NELFund portal has registered 164,000 students, with 103,000 applying for loans.

Despite the promising start, many southern states remain doubtful about the fund’s implementation.

Akintunde Sawyerr, NELFund’s Managing Director, acknowledged these concerns, citing data challenges in verifying indigent applicants as a primary hurdle.

Sawyerr highlighted the lack of comprehensive data needed for credit assessments. The fund relies on bank verification numbers (BVN), National Identification Numbers (NIN), and educational institution data to determine eligibility.

More applications have been received from northern states, where students have shown greater confidence in the fund.

Sawyerr pointed out that skepticism in the south might stem from uncertainty about the program’s viability.

NELFund offers two types of loans: educational fees paid directly to institutions and upkeep loans for student stipends.

The focus is currently on government-owned institutions to ensure a smooth rollout.

President Tinubu emphasized education as a critical tool against poverty and insecurity, linking the nation’s challenges to a lack of educational opportunities.

He reaffirmed his commitment to inclusive growth through education.

As NELFund continues its rollout, efforts to address data issues and regional skepticism will be crucial. By building trust and ensuring transparency, the program aims to support more students nationwide and foster a fairer society.