The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disbursed a total of N2.42 billion to tertiary institutions across Nigeria through its National Tertiary Admissions Performance–Merit Awards (NATAP-M) over the past nine years.

The Registrar of the Board, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, disclosed this at a meeting with State Commissioners of Education held in Lagos.

In his presentation, Oloyede explained that the NATAP-M award, established in 2018, was designed to encourage strict adherence to national admission guidelines while promoting merit-based, transparent, and fair admission processes among tertiary institutions.

He recalled that during the maiden edition of the awards in 2018, a total of N125 million was disbursed. This increased to N375 million in 2019 and rose further to N500 million in 2020.

According to him, the prize money was reviewed upward during a combined award ceremony for the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 editions, with a consolidated sum of N710 million disbursed. The same amount was awarded during another combined session for the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 cycles, restructured into sectoral awards, with the overall top-performing institution receiving N500 million.

Prof. Oloyede noted that institutions have utilised the funds for impactful projects, including road construction, development of Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres, hostel construction, infrastructural upgrades, and facility repairs.

Highlighting examples, he said the University of Ilorin used its award funds to build a hostel named JAMB Merit Award International Hostel, while Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, constructed access roads.

Kaduna Polytechnic utilised its award money to establish the JAMB Merit Award – Spider FM Radio Station, a medical laboratory, and also renovated its administrative block, all renamed in recognition of the award.

Other beneficiaries include the Ogun State Institute of Technology, Igbesa, which constructed a multi-million-naira CBT centre, and the Federal University, Wukari, which invested its funds in access roads and infrastructural development.