The Nigerian Senate has questioned the examination fees charged by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, saying many students struggle to afford the ₦3,500 UTME cost. Lawmakers raised the issue during a budget defence session, noting the current economic hardship facing families.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions, Amos Yohanna, called for a further reduction in the fee to make higher education more accessible. Senators also highlighted technical problems during registration and limited CBT centres, especially in rural communities.

The Senate demanded transparency over JAMB’s projected ₦23.8 billion internally generated revenue for 2026. Lawmakers stressed the need for accountability and reforms that will benefit students directly.

In response, JAMB officials said the fee was already reduced from ₦5,000 to ₦3,500 and that efforts are ongoing to expand CBT centres and improve the examination process nationwide.