By Empress Blessing
Tensions flared at the National Assembly on Wednesday as officials of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) abruptly walked out of a House of Representatives committee meeting, sparking a showdown over the Board’s budget and financial transparency.
The delegation, led by JAMB Director Mufutau Bello, attended in place of the Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, who had declined two previous invitations to appear before the committee. The session was convened to discuss the Board’s 2023/2024 budget and details of its internally generated revenue.
The move to send representatives instead of appearing in person did not sit well with the committee. Tensions escalated when JAMB officials requested that journalists be excused, citing the sensitive nature of their presentation. They also sought a private meeting with the Committee Chairman, Oboku Uforji.
The committee rejected the request, describing it as “abnormal,” prompting the JAMB officials to abruptly walk out. Attempts by the Sergeant-at-Arms to detain them failed as the delegation quickly left the committee room.
Speaking to journalists afterward, the Committee described the walkout as an attempt to conceal the Board’s financial dealings. The Committee further vowed to summon Prof. Oloyede to appear in person at a rescheduled meeting, warning that a bench warrant would be issued if he failed to comply.