More than 10 staff members of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) are currently facing prosecution over allegations of corruption.
The Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, disclosed this at the ongoing National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) in Abuja.
Oloyede said the board has made workers’ welfare a central pillar of its operations, noting that a motivated and disciplined workforce is the most valuable asset of any organisation.
“Though we strive to promote and enhance the welfare of our staff, we maintain strict discipline. Currently, more than 10 staff members are facing sanctions for corruption-related offences. We reward dedication but deal decisively with misconduct,” he stated.
The JAMB boss also criticised some parents for engaging in unethical practices to secure admission for their wards, warning that such behaviour undermines the integrity of the education system.
“Many parents today try to use money or influence to secure academic shortcuts for their children. We now see a disturbing trend of underage admissions into tertiary institutions. In some schools, primary six has virtually disappeared, and children as young as 10 or 11 are being rushed into secondary and tertiary education,” he said.
“This is not progress; it is a sign of parental failure. Education is not a race but a process of intellectual and emotional readiness. Globally, admissions are based on age, not just academic grades. For instance, in the UK, your class placement depends on how old you are, not how fast you can finish school,” he added.
Oloyede described the current obsession with early admission as a “social status symbol” among parents, insisting that JAMB’s enforcement of the minimum admission age of 16 is meant to protect children, not punish them.
He further outlined the board’s welfare initiatives for staff, including a 13th-month salary, a 10 per cent examination allowance, comprehensive health and insurance coverage, and retirement handshake packages ranging from ₦3 million to ₦10 million.
“No JAMB staff facing a serious medical condition is left to beg for assistance. Just this morning, over ₦12 million was approved for the treatment of one staff member at the National Hospital,” Oloyede said.
“We also provide daily meals for staff in certain duty stations, such as airports, and fully funded transport to and from work. We do all these not as a favour but as a responsibility. When workers are well cared for, they perform better. Conversely, if we expect much but give little, we invite frustration and corruption,” he added.
Oloyede commended NASU for its role in stabilising the education sector, describing the union as “a beacon of solidarity and a voice of justice for non-academic staff across Nigeria.”
“Your resilience and integrity continue to inspire institutions like ours. Let us continue to build a future anchored on fairness, discipline, and shared prosperity, where every worker’s contribution is valued, and every institution stands on the foundation of justice,” he said.
