Why JAMB’s N4,000 O’Level Verification Fee Is Sparking Backlash From Parents
Some admission seekers and parents have expressed concern over the growing financial burden associated with gaining admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions, particularly the N4,000 fee for O’Level result verification on the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) portal.
The candidates and parents raised their concerns in separate interviews in Abuja on Thursday, saying the cost of the admission process had continued to increase due to expenses such as JAMB registration, post-UTME screening, transportation, printing of documents and other admission-related services.
They said the additional financial demands were particularly challenging for families with limited incomes and parents with more than one child seeking admission.
JAMB had earlier clarified that candidates who had previously uploaded their O’Level results would not need to upload them again or obtain a verification code under the board’s new verification system.
The clarification followed enquiries from candidates who uploaded their results during the current registration exercise, after the release of West African Examinations Council (WAEC) results or in previous years under the former upload process.
The board said the new verification system was introduced to strengthen the integrity of O’Level results and prevent candidates from presenting fraudulent or falsified credentials during the admission process.
Under the new arrangement, candidates seeking admission into tertiary institutions are required to pay N4,000 once for the verification of their O’Level results.
According to JAMB, the initiative is also expected to reduce the stress and expenses associated with repeated visits to tertiary institutions or JAMB-approved Computer-Based Test centres.
However, some parents said the fee had become another financial burden at a time when families were already spending heavily on the admission process.
A parent, Akolade Opadere, said the N4,000 payment was difficult for some families to accommodate, particularly those already struggling to meet other admission-related expenses.
“Parents are already spending money on many things for their children’s admission. Adding another payment makes things more difficult, especially for families that are not financially comfortable.
“For some of us, it is not just about finding the money but finding it at the right time because there are other bills waiting to be paid.
“I believe JAMB should consider the situation of ordinary parents and look at ways of reducing the financial burden on families,” she said.
Another parent, Nathaniel Adamu, urged education authorities to consider the overall cost of securing admission rather than treating individual charges separately.
Mr Adamu acknowledged that there could be legitimate reasons for the verification fee but said authorities should consider its impact on low-income families.
“JAMB and other education authorities need to look at the total cost parents bear during the admission process and not consider each payment in isolation.
“Many families are already under financial pressure, and additional charges can become a serious burden, especially for parents with more than one child seeking admission.
“We are not saying that necessary services should not be paid for, but there should be consideration for candidates who may genuinely struggle to afford these payments,” he said.
He called for greater transparency regarding the fee, including clear information on its purpose and the services covered.
Adamu also urged JAMB to explore affordable alternatives that would allow qualified candidates to complete the verification process without facing unnecessary financial hardship.
An admission seeker, Matthew Ohizu, said the fee was also affecting candidates who depended on their parents or guardians for financial support.
“I understand that the result has to be uploaded, but the payment is another expense for us. Some candidates may not have the money readily available.
“We are already spending money on transport, screening and other admission requirements, so every additional payment puts pressure on us.
“For candidates from families that are struggling financially, this can be frustrating because you may have the required result but still face difficulty completing the admission process because of money,” he said.
Another admission seeker, Ayomide Joseph, appealed to JAMB and tertiary institutions to streamline admission procedures and ensure candidates were not charged unnecessary fees for services already covered by approved payments.
Similarly, Hawal Abdulfatai said his parents had spent substantial amounts on the admission process even before he received an admission offer.
“My parents have paid for JAMB registration, post-UTME and transportation to the institution. Now, I also have to ensure that my O’Level result is properly uploaded on the JAMB portal before I can be considered for admission.
“For a candidate whose parents are struggling financially, all these expenses become a serious burden,” he said.
The O’Level result verification process is linked to JAMB’s Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS), the platform established to regulate and automate admissions into tertiary institutions.
CAPS enables candidates to monitor their admission status, consider available institutions and programmes and accept or reject provisional admission offers.
The system was also introduced to address challenges associated with the former manual admission process, including multiple admissions and limited access to information.
JAMB has repeatedly advised admission seekers to rely on admissions processed through CAPS and to be wary of individuals or institutions promising admission outside the official system.
Under JAMB’s 2026 admission guidelines, all admissions offered by tertiary institutions must originate from the board and be reflected on the JAMB e-Facility.
The board also stated that an admission offer from a tertiary institution without a JAMB admission letter is illegal and not recognised.
Candidates who accept admissions outside CAPS, it warned, do so at their own risk.
