The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, said it has disbursed N397,030,900 as transport allowances to 1,909 officials participating in the conduct of the 2025 Mock Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, scheduled for April 10, 2025.

The Director of Finance, Mufutau Bello, disclosed this at a meeting convened to evaluate the Board’s readiness for both the mock examination and the main UTME.

According to Bello, the amount released so far for transport allowances represents only the first tranche of payments, covering one-third of the total officials involved in the exercise.

Stressing the critical national importance of the two examinations, he said, “The mock exercise is the first phase of our core mandate, and we must, as always, distinguish ourselves. The nation relies on the success of this exercise; any shortcomings could tarnish the integrity of our education system.

“Much is at stake, including the dignity of our processes, the tertiary education system, and substantial financial resources—over N397,030,900 has been paid as transport allowances to the 1,909 officials travelling for the mock exercise scheduled for the 10th April, 2025.

“This amount represents only the initial phase, accounting for one-third of the total number of officials involved.”

The Nigerian government has directed all heads of federal universities, polytechnics, colleges of education and other higher institutions to disclose their annual budget and other institutional data for public scrutiny.

The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, gave this directive in a statement released on Saturday by the ministry’s spokesperson, Boriowo Folasade

The minister said that educational institutions should publish their budget breakdown, research grant, Tertiary Education Trust Fund Allocation as well as student population on their official websites.

According to the minister, the move is to enshrine accountability and transparency in Nigeria’s education sector.

“In a bold move to entrench transparency, accountability, and good governance in Nigeria’s tertiary education system, the Honourable Minister of Education Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa has issued comprehensive directive mandating all Federal Vice- Chancellors, Rectors and Provost to publish key institutional data on their official websites with immediate effect. Aligning Nigeria’s higher education management with global best practices.

“Each institution must provide its Annual Budgetary Allocation in full detail, including the breakdown of expenditure across three core areas: personnel cost overhead costs and capital expenditure. In addition,
institutions are to disclose their Research Grant Revenue from the previous year.

“This data should be separated into two distinct sources: grants obtained from domestic bodies such as local industries, government agencies, or foundations; and those received from international sources, including foreign institutions, multilateral organizations, and development partners.

“Also to be displayed is the TETFund Allocation for the current year. The Institutions must clearly show the
total amount received from the TETFund, reflecting financial support for academic and infrastructural development in the present calendar year,” the statement said.

The directive further mandates the institutions to publish the total value of their endowment fund as recorded at the end of the previous year. This figure, which reflects funds donated or invested for the institution’s long-term financial health, must be updated quarterly to ensure currency and transparency.

“Finally, institutions are to present their current Total Student Population, which must be categorized into undergraduate and postgraduate levels, thereby providing a clear picture of enrolment and institutional capacity.

“The Ministry emphasizes that this information must be presented in a clear, accessible, and user-friendly format for public visibility. Websites should be structured in a way that allows the public, including parents, students, and stakeholders, to easily locate and understand these data points.

“All federal institutions are expected to comply fully with this directive and ensure that their websites are completely updated no later than May 31, 2025,” the statement added.

Ekwutosblog had earlier reported that a transparency report described Nigerian universities as a den of impunity and secrecy.

In a move that could reshape the landscape of Nigeria’s youth development and national integration strategy, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, has called for the extension of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme from its current one-year duration to two years.

Dr. Alausa made this recommendation during a high-level stakeholder engagement in Abuja, emphasizing the need for a more impactful and immersive service year that aligns with the country’s educational and developmental goals. According to the Minister, extending the NYSC duration would provide Nigerian graduates with a broader platform to contribute meaningfully to national growth, gain valuable experience, and improve their employability.

“The NYSC scheme remains one of the most important platforms for national unity, youth empowerment, and community development,” Dr. Alausa stated. “However, in light of current realities, a one-year period may no longer be sufficient to achieve the desired depth of impact. A two-year service period will allow for more comprehensive training, community engagement, and skills acquisition, especially in sectors critical to national development.”

The Minister noted that the proposal is still under consideration and will require widespread consultation with stakeholders, including the NYSC Directorate, education professionals, youth representatives, and members of the National Assembly.

Dr. Alausa also suggested that the extended programme could be restructured to include a first year focused on national service and community development, while the second year could prioritize skill acquisition, entrepreneurship training, and job placement initiatives.

Reactions to the proposal have been mixed, with some youth groups expressing concerns about the feasibility of a two-year compulsory service, particularly in a challenging economic climate. Others have welcomed the idea, noting that a longer NYSC period could provide a more structured transition from academic life to the workforce.

As debates continue to unfold, Dr. Alausa reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to policies that will enhance the quality of education and empower Nigerian youths for a brighter future.