In a scene that shocked the halls of Nigeria’s legislative chamber, officials from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) abruptly walked out of a meeting with the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education Examination Bodies on Wednesday.
What began as a routine budget‐performance hearing descended into a striking demonstration of defiance – and a bitter clash between legislative authority and the country’s top exams body.
The Committee, chaired by Oboku Oforji, had summoned JAMB to account for its 2023-2024 budget performance, management of internally generated revenue (IGR), remittances to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF), and bank statements covering the same period.
Three letters were sent to JAMB on 6 October, 17 October and 23 October 2025 requesting both the documents and the personal appearance of the Registrar, Ishaq Oloyede.
Instead of the Registrar, JAMB sent a Director, Mufutau Bello, to appear at the hearing.
Tension escalated when Bello requested that journalists covering the session leave the meeting room, claiming that the documents he intended to present contained “sensitive information.”
The Committee balked: the session would remain public, and only Parliament has the authority to determine how such sittings are conducted.
In a dramatic turn, Bello visibly upset, ordered his team to withdraw and walked out of the hearing, leaving the stunned lawmakers behind.
Aftermath and Consequences
Fuming at the act, the Committee instructed the Sergeant-at-Arms to detain the JAMB officials—only for the delegation to have already exited the premises.
Chairman Oforji described the walkout as “very unfortunate” and “disrespectful,” warning that the legislature would not tolerate any attempt to undermine its constitutional oversight powers.
“We wrote three consecutive letters… instead of appearing, he sent a former Director who accused us of trying to embarrass JAMB.” he said.
The Committee has directed that Registrar Oloyede appear in person along with his management team and present all requested documents by Tuesday. If he fails to appear, the Committee may invoke its powers under Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Lawmakers were aligned in their condemnation: Rep. Awaji‑Inombek Abiante declared the walkout a “dangerous disregard for legislative authority,” hinting at possible financial irregularities.
Rep. Rodney Amboiowei criticised the attempt to bar the press, insisting that “public funds must be publicly accounted for.”
Rep. Marie Ebikake said she was shocked the person leading JAMB’s delegation was not even the Registrar: “We don’t know who this man is… For all we know he could have been impersonating.”
This confrontation goes beyond mere procedural dispute. It raises critical questions about governmental transparency, institutional accountability, and the balance of power between agencies and oversight bodies.
The entity charged with admitting millions of students walked away from a hearing meant to scrutinise its finances—and the lawmakers refused to play along.
In the broader context, JAMB has been under pressure for other reasons: earlier this year the South‐East caucus of the House demanded Registrar Oloyede’s resignation after technical glitches in the 2025 UTME affected nearly 380,000 candidates.
The walkout may be symptomatic of deeper tensions and public trust deficits.
All eyes now turn to Tuesday, when JAMB must present its boss and full documentation before the Committee—or face serious consequences. The legislature has made clear: failure to comply could trigger arrests, sanctions or other enforcement actions.
For Nigerians watching, the message is loud and clear: the agencies handling public funds and public trust cannot simply shout “we’re being embarrassed” and walk away.
Dramatis Personae
JAMB: The national examination body, tasked with UTME, admissions, etc.
Ishaq Oloyede: Registrar of JAMB, the official expected to attend but did not.
Mufutau Bello: Director sent in Oloyede’s place; the one who asked journalists to leave and triggered the walkout.
House Committee (Basic Education & Examination Bodies): The oversight body demanding accountability for JAMB’s finances.
The Press: Mixed role—witnesses to the hearing, whose presence was contested.
This story remains fluid. With the deadline set and enforcement powers at hand, the next act could be even more consequential than the walkout itself.
