JAMB: CBT Centres Protest ₦700 UTME Registration Fee, Cite Inflation, Rising Logistics Costs

The Computer-Based Test Centres Proprietors Association of Nigeria has raised concerns over the ₦700 Computer-Based Test Centre (CBT) Registration Service Charge paid to centres for candidates registering for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), describing the amount as “grossly inadequate” amid rising operational costs and logistical demands.

Papers News reports that the President of the association, Austin Ohaekelem, made this known in an interview with The PUNCH on Monday shortly after the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) announced the disbursement of ₦1.57 billion to accredited CBT centres that participated in the 2026 UTME registration exercise.

In a bulletin issued on Monday, JAMB, through its Public Communication Advisor, Fabian Benjamin, disclosed that the payment represents the ₦700 fee collected from candidates on behalf of CBT centres during the registration exercise.

According to the board, the amount is remitted weekly alongside charges related to the UTME ePIN registration.

The bulletin stated, “In line with this arrangement, the Board has remitted a total sum of ₦1,570,671,200 to the CBT centres that participated in the 2026 UTME registration exercise.”

JAMB maintained that its fee structure has remained unchanged since 2018 and warned that centres found overcharging candidates would face sanctions.

The board charges ₦7,200 for UTME only, ₦8,700 for UTME with mock examination, and ₦5,700 for Direct Entry applications.

The fee structure includes Application Fee ₦3,500; Reading Text ₦1,000; CBT Centre Registration Service Charge ₦700; CBT Centre UTME Service Charge ₦1,500; Bank Charges ₦500; and CBT Mock-UTME Centre Charge ₦1,500.

‘₦700 No Longer Reflects Reality’ – Proprietors Protest

However, Ohaekelem argued that the ₦700 service charge no longer reflects the realities of operating CBT centres in the current economic climate.

“The cost of registering a candidate as of 2016, when I joined the CBT programme, was ₦700. Ten years later, it is still ₦700,” he said.

“This is apart from additional requirements, stipulations that change almost every year, and the logistics and tools we need to run these centres. You and I know the cost of living and the inflation rate, yet we are still being asked to charge ₦700.”

Ohaekelem also highlighted the heavy operational expenses associated with running CBT facilities across the country.

“A laptop that can serve for three years costs at least ₦150,000. If I handle 3,000 candidates, that’s ₦2.1 million. Then I pay staff, diesel, rent, service equipment, and repairs,” he said.

He further noted the high cost of renting facilities in major cities.

“In Lagos, a 250-capacity hall will cost no less than ₦3 million per year; in Ebute Metta, my centre can’t go below ₦5 million annually. By the time you account for staff and fuel, the ₦700 registration fee barely covers costs,” Ohaekelem added.

The association’s president also clarified that CBT centres do not collect the registration service charge directly from candidates.

He explained that the centres first remit the money to JAMB before receiving reimbursement from the board.

“What JAMB does is refund the money every week. It’s not like we collect it ourselves. The candidate registers, we pay JAMB, and then we get reimbursed,” Ohaekelem said.

“For the ₦700 service, we were supposed to collect it directly, but they said we should pay it to them first, so it looks like they are paying us a grant. That’s not the reality.”

Ohaekelem also pointed to the growing human resource requirements involved in the registration process and examination management.

“We have to hire staff to coordinate registration, supervise the exams, and manage logistics. Candidates crowd in, and someone must be on duty. All these expenses come from a fee that hasn’t changed in ten years. It’s grossly inadequate,” he said.

While acknowledging their role in Nigeria’s education system, Ohaekelem lamented that CBT centres often struggle to gain recognition from examination authorities.

“We are integral to the education sector, yet often seen as a pressure group rather than partners. We even wrote to the Education Minister last year, but we’ve yet to get a response,” he said.

JAMB Defends Payment System

Meanwhile, in its bulletin, JAMB defended its payment arrangement, noting that the introduction of a cashless registration system had helped curb abuses and eliminate unauthorised charges.

The board said the system has improved transparency, particularly in privately owned CBT centres.

Under the arrangement, candidates purchase the UTME ePIN and complete registration at any accredited centre of their choice without making separate payments.

JAMB also highlighted its “No View, No Pay” policy, which allows the board to withhold payments if registration activities cannot be monitored remotely from its headquarters in Abuja.

Payment to centres is only effected after any identified anomalies are rectified.

“This monitoring mechanism forms part of the Board’s broader technological innovations aimed at ensuring transparency, accountability and strict adherence to registration guidelines,” the bulletin read.

UTME Registration Closes

Papers News reports that the 2026 UTME registration exercise closed on February 28, while the examinations are scheduled to hold nationwide from April 16 to 25.

Registration for the Direct Entry programme commenced on March 2 and is expected to end on April 25.

Oloyede clarifies JAMB’s role in HND admissions

Meanwhile, the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, has clarified the board’s limited role regarding Higher National Diploma graduates.

Oloyede spoke during a meeting with members of the National Association of Polytechnic Students led by Eshofune Oghayan.

Many HND graduates from part-time or non-regular National Diploma programmes have faced difficulties with mobilisation for the National Youth Service Corps, as eligibility often requires full-time study for the highest qualification.

Oloyede explained that the responsibility for HND admissions rests with institutions rather than JAMB.

“The board is not responsible for admitting HND students into polytechnics and, therefore, has no data to facilitate their entry into the NYSC scheme,” he said.

The registrar further noted that admissions conducted by JAMB are processed through the Central Admissions Processing System.

“CAPS automates the admissions process into tertiary institutions, addresses challenges associated with the manual approach, and empowers candidates with information on available institutions and programmes,” he said.

Oloyede also criticised some “Daily Part-Time” HND programmes and institutions that bypass the CAPS system, describing such practices as exploitative.

According to him, the NYSC often rejects graduates from unconventional programmes.

“Some polytechnics have conducted illegal admissions, with one institution reportedly having over 42,000 irregular cases. If institutions follow the proper process, there would be no problem,” he said.

“On our part, we will continue to render quality service beneficial to all stakeholders. Let’s do things properly,” he added.