The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released a preliminary payment of ₦3,006,339,887 to accredited Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres across Nigeria for their services during the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
This payment, described as an “initial part-payment” by the Board, is meant to ease rising tensions among CBT operators and to ensure the smooth finalization of UTME-related activities, even as investigations into some centres’ operations by security agencies continue.
In its statement, JAMB emphasized that the disbursement was a proactive step taken to address concerns raised by the centres, noting that further payments are still under review and will be determined based on compliance and ongoing audit outcomes.
However, the Board drew a clear line regarding centres currently under scrutiny. Those found in breach of regulations will be excluded from further payments. “Any centres found to be in violation of regulations will not receive payment,” JAMB stated, reinforcing its zero-tolerance policy for misconduct.
JAMB also criticized the public outcry and allegations by some CBT centres regarding delays in payment, labeling such actions as pressure tactics and attempted blackmail. The Board noted that these centres are fully aware of established timelines, which traditionally involve disbursements only after the UTME and mop-up exercises are concluded.
“While the Board acknowledges the concerns raised, it remains committed to due process. Centres have always received their payments post-examination, and this norm has not changed,” the statement clarified.
To counter claims of neglect, JAMB pointed out that CBT centres had been receiving weekly payments throughout the registration phase of the UTME. These payments continued until registration closed, reinforcing the Board’s assertion that it has not defaulted on prior commitments.
“The centres are familiar with the existing procedures, and it is misleading to suggest they have been left without support,” the Board noted.
Importantly, JAMB affirmed its right to recover any funds already disbursed should any centre be found culpable in the ongoing investigations. “The Board retains the ability to recover funds from any centres implicated in ongoing investigations, even if it means instituting legal procedures,” the statement concluded.
The payment aims to prevent distractions as the examination cycle nears its final stages, with the Board maintaining a firm position that financial accountability and adherence to operational guidelines remain paramount.
This move highlights JAMB’s balancing act—providing operational support to compliant centres while upholding accountability and integrity within Nigeria’s examination system.
