‘Another Bill to Pay’: Parents, Admission Seekers Lament JAMB’s New ₦4,000 O’Level Verification Fee

 Growing concerns have emerged among admission seekers and parents over the rising cost of gaining entry into Nigerian tertiary institutions, with many describing the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s (JAMB) newly introduced ₦4,000 O’Level result verification fee as an additional financial burden.

Several parents and candidates who spoke with journalists in Abuja said the admission process had become increasingly expensive, with families already grappling with costs associated with JAMB registration, post-UTME screening forms, transportation, document printing and other admission-related requirements.

Their concerns come amid JAMB’s rollout of a new O’Level result verification system designed to strengthen the credibility of candidates’ academic records and curb the use of falsified examination results during admissions.

Under the new arrangement, candidates seeking admission into universities, polytechnics and colleges of education are required to make a one-time payment of ₦4,000 for verification of their O’Level results.

The examination body, however, clarified that candidates who had previously uploaded their O’Level results on its portal were not required to upload them again or obtain a fresh verification code under the new system.

The clarification followed widespread confusion among candidates who had uploaded their results either during the current admission cycle, after the release of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) results, or through earlier upload procedures.

JAMB explained that the verification mechanism was introduced to enhance transparency and integrity within the admission process while reducing the need for repeated visits to Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres and tertiary institutions.

Despite the explanation, many parents insist the new fee adds to an already overwhelming financial commitment.

One parent, Mrs. Akolade Opadere, described the charge as another expense families must shoulder at a time when many are struggling with economic realities.

She noted that parents often spend significant amounts on registration fees, screening exercises and transportation before their children even secure admission.

“Parents are already paying for several stages of the admission process. Adding another fee only increases the pressure, especially for families with limited income,” she said.

According to her, the challenge becomes even greater for households with multiple children seeking admission simultaneously.

“It's not always about finding the money; sometimes it's about finding it at the right time when there are many other pressing responsibilities,” she added.

Another parent, Mr. Nathenial Adamu, called on education authorities to consider the cumulative financial impact of admission-related expenses on families.

While acknowledging that the verification process may have valid objectives, he argued that affordability should remain a key consideration in educational policy.

“Access to higher education should not become more difficult because of the cost of completing admission procedures,” he said.

He urged JAMB and other stakeholders to assess the total financial burden on parents rather than treating each charge as an isolated requirement.

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According to him, transparency about the purpose of the fee and the services it covers would also help reduce confusion among candidates and their families.

For many admission seekers, the concern goes beyond policy and directly affects their ability to complete the admission process.

An applicant, Matthew Ohizu, said many candidates rely entirely on financial support from parents or guardians, making every additional charge a challenge.

“Uploading the result is important, but not everyone has immediate access to the money required. Some students may have to wait for their parents to raise the funds, while others may borrow from friends or relatives,” he said.

Ohizu added that transportation costs, screening fees and other admission-related expenses were already stretching students financially.

Another admission seeker, Ayomide Joseph, appealed to JAMB and tertiary institutions to simplify admission procedures further and avoid introducing charges that could be viewed as unnecessary.

Similarly, Hawal Abdulfatai said the admission journey had already cost his family a considerable amount before any admission offer had been secured.

“My parents have paid for JAMB registration, post-UTME forms and transportation expenses. Now there is the need to ensure my O’Level result is properly verified and uploaded before I can even be considered for admission,” he said.

“For candidates from financially struggling families, all these expenses become overwhelming.”

Meanwhile, education experts note that the issue is closely linked to JAMB’s Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS), the platform established to automate and regulate admissions into tertiary institutions nationwide.

The system was introduced to improve transparency, eliminate multiple admissions, provide candidates with greater access to information about available programmes and institutions, and allow applicants to monitor their admission status in real time.

Through CAPS, institutions process admissions electronically while candidates can accept or reject offers directly on the platform.

JAMB has repeatedly warned prospective students against accepting admissions outside the official system, stressing that all valid admissions must originate from the Board and be reflected on CAPS.

Under the 2026 admission guidelines, the Board maintained that any admission not generated through its platform and accompanied by a JAMB admission letter is invalid and will not be recognised.

The Board also cautioned candidates against dealing with individuals or institutions promising admission outside the approved process, warning that those who accept such offers do so at their own risk.

As the 2026 admission exercise gathers momentum, many parents and candidates are urging authorities to strike a balance between maintaining the integrity of the admission process and ensuring that the pursuit of higher education remains affordable for ordinary Nigerians.