By Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja
The Senate has announced plans to include funding for the establishment of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centres across all 774 local government areas in the country in the 2026 budget.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND, Senator Mohammed Muntari Dandutse (APC, Katsina South), made this known on Friday while monitoring the on-going Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) at Aduvie International School in Jahi, Abuja.
He expressed concern over the absence of ICT centres in many local government areas, describing it as a major obstacle for candidates seeking admission into tertiary institutions through the computer-based UTME conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
“If we want our children to school in Nigeria, we must ensure that access to key examinations like the UTME is made easy for them.
“As it stands, some areas do not have ICT centres at all. In my district alone, only two out of 11 local governments have centres, ” Dandutse said.
He stressed the need for equity in access, adding that the Senate, in collaboration with the House of Representatives will ensure the provision of funds in the 2026 budget to bridge the gap.
Earlier, JAMB Spokesperson Fabian Benjamin, briefed the committee, revealing that the board currently has 880 ICT centres nationwide, a figure that still falls short of covering all local government areas.
“JAMB will gladly welcome the establishment of more centres,” Benjamin said, acknowledging the committee’s effort to push for additional budgetary support.
He also reassured the senators about the reliability of JAMB’s systems, saying they are designed to function smoothly without hindering candidate performance.
The Senate Committee’s oversight visit also took them to Government Secondary School, Wuse Zone 3, where Senator Dandutse expressed satisfaction with JAMB’s arrangements for the conduct of the UTME.