Education

I never presented 2024 budget performance before NASS – Oloyede

Published

9 months ago

January 15, 2025

Mariam Sanni

The Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, has decried the misrepresentation of figures in the 2025 budget proposal presented to the National Assembly Joint Committee on Finance.

Oloyede, while fielding questions from newsmen at a sideline of an event in Abuja , dismissed reports making rounds that the Board spent huge amount on fumigation, meals, among other items in 2024.

Oloyede stated that the Board’s total expenditure for fumigation across all states in 2024 was less than N1 million.

He said that what was presented before the commitee was not the 2024 expenditure but solely the 2025 budget proposal.

He added that claims regarding humongous spending in 2024 on meals or fumigation, security and cleaning were totally unfounded.

“I want to say emphatically, without any iota of doubt, that I never presented any budget performance of 2024 before the National Assembly yesterday. I think it’s a lot of misunderstanding.

“I did not talk about 2024 budget performance. And we did not spend any money, any humongous money in 2024.

“Indeed, what we spent on fumigation in the whole state of the Federation, all offices in 2024, not up to N1million. And what we budgeted for 2025 for fumigation is less than N2 million,” he said.

Oloyede explained that misunderstandings arose because the detailed breakdown of the budget proposal was not fully reviewed during the presentation.

On the N6.5 billion allegedly spent on training in 2024, Oloyede said the money was just a proposal for 2025 that cut across various budget lines.

He added that this included monitoring of examination, admission expenses, e-facilities payment, awards for best higher education institutions, among others.

“We have 10,500 examiners and invigilators going to conduct both the mock and the UTME. Some of them stay for 10 days.

“I do not determine their DTA. It’s the government that determines the DTA to be paid to them. So what offence have I committed in putting their claims together?” he said.

On the alleged huge amount spent on meal, Oloyede said “Everybody knows that at the JAMB headquarters, we provide one lunch for those in the headquarters. And we provide this lunch for them, partly because we don’t want our system to be destroyed.

” Apart from the fact that there are security reasons for not allowing people going in and coming out.

“You also know that we have some ICT infrastructure that will be damaged if we allow people to be bringing food and remnant.

” So we created the canteen and we provide for them. So we are now saying for 2025, we should provide for 2,300.

“2,300 times 22 days, times 12 months, what will it be if not over N1 billion? ”

Speaking on the clamour for downward review of Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) fee, he said the fee remained reviewed from N5,000 to N3,500.

“This is the least paid anywhere in the world for any admission unless you want it to be given free.

” And we can assure you, if we are given a fair opportunity to explain, Nigerians will know that I, Ishaq Oloyede, would not misappropriate or misuse money,” he said.

Oloyode said the figure proposed for cleaners, security, among others were also misrepresented.

“In all the states of the federation, we have 580 security men and cleaners. Where would their salaries come from?.

“The increase in minimum wage from N30,000 to N70, 000 will also lead to increase in their budgetary provision.

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Education

Inclusive Education Boost as Deaf-Tech, Federal University of Lafia Roll Out Master’s in Disability Studies

Published

1 week ago

September 26, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

In a major step toward advancing inclusive education in Nigeria, Deaf-in-Tech, an initiative of Data-Lead Africa, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal University of Lafia (FULAFIA) to establish a Professional Master’s Degree in Disability Studies.

The signing ceremony, held at Deaf-in-Tech’s headquarters in Abuja, featured a goodwill message from Prof. Adaka Terfa Ahon, Director of the Centre for Disability Studies, who represented FULAFIA’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Shehu Abdul Rahman. He reaffirmed the university’s commitment to championing disability and inclusion in its academic innovation and planning.

The new Master’s programme will adopt a hybrid learning model, with online classes complemented by in-person sessions at Deaf-in-Tech’s training facility in Abuja. It is designed to build expertise in disability-inclusive governance, education, and development across sectors.

Executive Director of Deaf-in-Tech and Co-Founder of Data-Lead Africa, Dr. Arowolo Ayoola, described the collaboration as a “structural shift” in how institutions and professionals engage with disability issues. “The inclusion journey must begin with knowledge, and we are proud to partner with a progressive university like FULAFIA,” he said.

Beyond the postgraduate programme, the partnership will also establish a Deaf-in-Tech Club on FULAFIA’s campus — the first of its kind — to empower Deaf students with technology skills, mentorship, and innovation opportunities. Additional initiatives include a ₦1 million academic excellence reward for any Deaf student who graduates with a First Class, as well as the development of a disability-accessible website and digital database for the Centre for Disability Studies, built to WCAG 2.1 global accessibility standards.

The alliance underscores both institutions’ commitment to building inclusive systems and celebrating excellence, while positioning Deaf-in-Tech as a catalyst for bridging the gap between disability and the digital economy.

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