Lawmakers Fume As JAMB Officials Abruptly Exit Meeting After Clash Over Document Secrecy At National Assembly

 

Tension filled the halls of the National Assembly on Wednesday after a dramatic face-off between members of the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education and Examination Bodies and officials of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). The encounter turned chaotic when the JAMB delegation abruptly left a scheduled meeting, triggering outrage among lawmakers and prompting threats of arrest from the committee.

The committee had summoned JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, to appear before it and submit certain critical documents as part of its oversight function. Expectations were high that the session would shed light on key operational issues concerning the Board. However, the Registrar was noticeably absent, opting to send a representative instead.

Professor Oloyede was represented by Mufutau Bello, a Director at JAMB, who arrived at the National Assembly complex accompanied by other senior officials. The meeting started on a tense note after Bello raised concerns about the presence of journalists in the room. He argued that some of the materials to be presented contained sensitive details unsuitable for public disclosure, suggesting that the media be excused during his briefing.

That suggestion was immediately rejected by the lawmakers, who reminded the JAMB representative that parliamentary sessions are conducted in the public interest. Members of the committee stressed that transparency and accountability required that the proceedings remain open to media coverage. They further pointed out that the agency could not impose conditions on a constitutionally mandated hearing.

As tempers flared, the atmosphere quickly deteriorated. Mr. Bello, visibly agitated, refused to proceed under the committee’s terms. Reports indicate that he ordered his team to leave the venue, insisting they would not continue if journalists remained in the room. The walkout caught the lawmakers off guard, and for a brief moment, the chamber was thrown into confusion.

Committee members were furious at what they described as an act of disrespect and insubordination. They accused the officials of undermining the authority of the National Assembly and deliberately obstructing oversight responsibilities. One visibly angry lawmaker was heard demanding immediate punitive action against the officials.

Moments later, the committee chairman directed the Sergeant-at-Arms to arrest the JAMB team for contempt of parliament. However, the officials had already exited the complex before the directive could be enforced. Their sudden departure drew condemnation from the lawmakers, who described the action as an attempt to evade accountability and frustrate legislative scrutiny.

Addressing journalists after the incident, members of the committee emphasized that JAMB’s conduct would not be tolerated. They stated that public agencies must respect the oversight powers granted to the legislature under the Constitution. The lawmakers expressed disappointment over Professor Oloyede’s absence, stressing that such behavior suggested disregard for the institution of the National Assembly.

Following the disruption, the committee issued a new directive mandating the JAMB Registrar to personally appear before them on or before next Tuesday. According to the lawmakers, failure to comply with the summons would leave the committee with no option but to issue a warrant of arrest against him. The ultimatum signals the seriousness with which the House intends to pursue the matter and reinforces its resolve to uphold transparency within public institutions.

The altercation has since drawn public attention, with citizens expressing mixed reactions on social media. While some argued that JAMB’s caution over “sensitive information” was justified, others maintained that the agency’s representatives should have respected the committee’s authority and sought a compromise. Several analysts also observed that such confrontations often expose the fragile relationship between government agencies and the legislature.

Observers say the latest incident could strain relations between JAMB and the House committee at a time when the agency is expected to maintain close cooperation with lawmakers on education reforms. The expectation now rests on Professor Oloyede’s next appearance before the committee, which may determine whether the matter escalates further or is resolved amicably.

This episode has once again highlighted the tension that often accompanies legislative oversight sessions in Nigeria. Many analysts believe that a balance must be struck between the need for transparency and the protection of official confidentiality. As the Tuesday deadline approaches, all eyes remain on the JAMB Registrar, whose response may either calm or intensify the brewing conflict between his agency and the lawmakers.