There was mild drama at the National Assembly on Wednesday when representatives of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) staged a walkout on the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education Examination Bodies during an oversight session.
The Committee, chaired by Mr. Oboku Oforji, had convened to examine JAMB’s 2023–2024 budget performance, implementation of its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), evidence of remittances to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF), and bank statements from 2023 to date.
According to Mr. Oforji, the Committee had written three separate letters to JAMB, on October 6, 17, and 23, 2025 requesting the documents and the personal appearance of the Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede.
However, instead of appearing before the Committee, the Registrar sent a Director, Mr. Mufutau Bello, to represent him.
Tension flared when Mr. Bello demanded that journalists leave the room, arguing that the documents to be presented contained sensitive information. The Committee rejected the request, insisting that its sittings were public and constitutionally empowered to determine how its proceedings were conducted.
In an unexpected turn, the JAMB representative reportedly became agitated, ordered his team to leave, and walked out of the session, leaving lawmakers stunned.
Angered by the action, the Committee ordered the Sergeant-at-Arms to arrest the JAMB officials, but they had already left the National Assembly premises.
Describing the incident as “unfortunate and unacceptable,” Committee Chairman Mr. Oforji said the legislature would not tolerate acts of disrespect or attempts to undermine its oversight functions.
“We wrote three consecutive letters to the Registrar requesting these documents. Instead of appearing, he sent a former Director who accused us of trying to embarrass JAMB. That is very unfortunate,” Oforji said.
He stressed that the Committee’s duty was to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of public funds. “Our duty is to ensure every agency under our watch is accountable to Nigerians,” he added.
The Committee has now directed the JAMB Registrar to appear in person, along with his management team, on Tuesday, 4 November 2025, with all requested documents.
“Failure to do so will compel the Committee to invoke its powers under Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended),” Oforji warned.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, members of the Committee described JAMB’s conduct as contemptuous and a direct affront to parliamentary authority.
Mr. Awaji-Inombek Dagomie Abiante said the walkout signified “a dangerous disregard for legislative oversight,” adding, “If JAMB can walk out on a National Assembly committee, it means they no longer see themselves as accountable to Nigerians. Oversight is not a favour, it’s a constitutional duty.”
He also hinted at possible financial irregularities, recalling previous controversies over missing public funds. “We’ve heard stories where money was swallowed by snakes. Maybe this time, a bigger creature has done the swallowing,” he said .
Mr. Rodney Amboiowei faulted JAMB’s attempt to exclude the media, stressing that public funds must be subject to public scrutiny. “No agency has the right to dictate how Parliament conducts its business. Nigerians deserve to know how their money is spent,” he said.
Also speaking, Mrs. Marie Enenimiete Ebikake expressed dismay that the person who led JAMB’s delegation was not the Registrar himself. “We don’t know who this man is. He refused to identify himself. For all we know, he could have been impersonating. The Registrar must appear by Tuesday to explain what JAMB is doing with public funds,” she stated.
The Committee adjourned its session to Tuesday, 4 November 2025, warning that any further disregard for parliamentary summons by JAMB would attract serious sanctions.
