Outrage Or Necessity? Labour Unions Stand Firm On N1.1bn JAMB Feeding Budget

Outrage Or Necessity? Labour Unions Stand Firm On N1.1bn JAMB Feeding Budget

Two labour unions representing staff at the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) have voiced their strong support for the proposed increase in the allocation for staff feeding in the 2025 budget, asserting that the move is…Outrage Or Necessity? Labour Unions Stand Firm On N1.1bn JAMB Feeding Budget

essential for enhancing productivity within the Board.

The unions, the National Association of Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), clarified the reasons behind the N1.1 billion earmarked for feeding in the 2025 budget, addressing recent misunderstandings surrounding the figure.

During a health walk organized by JAMB in Abuja to mark the start of its 2025 activities, NASU JAMB Chapter Chairman, Andrew Onakpa, explained that the initiative seeks to extend the free lunch program, which was initially available only at the headquarters, to over 2,300 staff members across JAMB’s 44 offices nationwide.

Onakpa emphasized that the Registrar’s efforts to improve staff welfare are commendable and should be supported. He pointed out that a well-established feeding scheme would contribute to better staff performance.

“The plan is to expand the feeding program across all our offices, with staff participating in the vendor selection process to ensure transparency. With over 2,300 staff in 44 locations, the cost of feeding is naturally significant, but it’s all aimed at enhancing welfare, not mismanagement,” he said.

He also raised concerns about the negative reactions from the National Assembly during JAMB’s budget defense, warning that it could undermine these welfare initiatives.

ASCSN JAMB Branch Chairman, Ebenezer Ayalibola, supported Onakpa’s view, explaining that the feeding budget was carefully calculated by the welfare committee. He noted that multiplying the agreed daily amount per staff across 12 months leads to the N1.1 billion figure.

Ayalibola further clarified that the N850 million allocated for fumigation includes cleaning services and security, not just fumigation alone, across all JAMB offices nationwide.

“The N850 million covers not only fumigation but also cleaning and security services, which are integral to maintaining our offices. The cost also includes contractor salaries for these services,” he added.

He concluded by emphasizing that the welfare measures are part of JAMB’s Condition of Service, which undergoes periodic reviews and is subject to National Assembly approval.

JAMB had proposed the feeding increase to N1.1 billion as part of its 2025 budget, adjusting for rising food prices and the expanded scheme covering 2,300 staff members. The original cost was projected at N1.27 billion, but JAMB settled on N1.1 billion for the budget.

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