The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has raised serious concerns after uncovering 2,658 illegal admissions conducted by 17 tertiary institutions across Nigeria. The board described the move as a direct violation of the approved admission process and warned that students affected by these unauthorized admissions may not be eligible to participate in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme upon graduation.
JAMB’s Stand on Illegal Admissions
In a statement released by the board’s spokesman, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, JAMB reiterated that all admissions into Nigerian tertiary institutions must be processed through its Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS).
The board condemned institutions involved in illegal admission practices, emphasizing that any admission conducted outside CAPS is null, void, and illegal. It stated that such actions undermine the integrity of the nation’s education system and cheat deserving candidates who followed due process.
According to JAMB, the discovery was made during its ongoing verification of admissions for the 2024/2025 academic session. The flagged institutions had admitted students without obtaining proper clearance and approval from the board, in clear violation of the JAMB Act and national admission guidelines.
Institutions Involved and Scope of the Violation
The 2,658 illegal admissions were traced to 17 institutions, including universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. While the board did not immediately publish all the names of the erring schools, it confirmed that investigations are ongoing and that sanctions will be applied to any institution found culpable.
Dr. Benjamin explained that the practice of offering unauthorized admissions has become a recurring issue, particularly among institutions that attempt to fill vacant quotas after JAMB’s official admission period closes.
He stressed that such practices not only jeopardize the credibility of the education sector but also place innocent students at risk, as their academic records may later be invalidated.
Implications for Students with Illegal Admissions
JAMB’s statement carried a stern warning to all affected students: anyone admitted illegally will not be recognized as a bona fide student of the Nigerian tertiary system.
The board clarified that illegal admissions have several serious consequences, including:
- Ineligibility for NYSC Mobilization:
Students admitted without JAMB’s approval will not be cleared for the compulsory one-year NYSC service after graduation. - Invalid Academic Records:
Such students risk having their degree, diploma, or certificate rendered invalid because their admission was never officially approved. - Disqualification from Postgraduate Studies:
Candidates with unverified undergraduate admission histories may face disqualification when applying for postgraduate programs within and outside Nigeria. - Reputational Damage to Institutions:
Universities and colleges found guilty of these practices risk being publicly sanctioned, losing accreditation, or having their quota reduced in future admission cycles.
JAMB’s Warning to Institutions
JAMB reminded all tertiary institutions that they are under legal obligation to admit students strictly through CAPS, which ensures fairness, transparency, and accountability in the admission process.
Dr. Benjamin noted that the CAPS platform was introduced to eliminate admission racketeering, backdoor admissions, and favoritism — long-standing problems that once plagued the Nigerian education system.
He added that “the integrity of the admission process must never be compromised,” urging vice-chancellors, provosts, and rectors to ensure strict adherence to admission protocols.
What Students Should Do
For students currently undergoing admission or those recently offered provisional admission, JAMB advised the following steps to confirm their admission status and avoid future complications:
- Check Admission Status on CAPS:
Candidates should log into the JAMB portal and verify whether their admission appears on CAPS. Only admissions showing “Admitted” status are considered valid. - Reject Illegal Offers:
Students should not accept or pay for admission offers that do not reflect on CAPS, regardless of assurances from any institution. - Report Suspicious Admissions:
Any case of irregular admission or extortion should be reported directly to JAMB through its official support channels. - Request Regularization (if already affected):
Students already admitted outside CAPS should contact JAMB immediately to regularize their admission before graduation to avoid NYSC-related complications.
Background: What Is CAPS and Why It Matters
The Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) was introduced by JAMB to centralize and standardize the admission process across all Nigerian tertiary institutions.
Through CAPS, institutions upload their admission lists for JAMB’s verification, ensuring that all admissions meet the national requirements and that candidates’ data are properly recorded.
The system guarantees:
- Transparency: All admissions can be tracked and verified.
- Merit-Based Selection: Prevents manipulation or favoritism.
- Authenticity: Only JAMB-approved admissions are valid nationwide.
CAPS is also directly linked to NYSC, meaning that only students admitted through the system will be cleared for mobilization after graduation.
⚙️ JAMB’s Next Steps
The board has announced plans to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Education and relevant agencies to enforce strict penalties against institutions that continue to violate the official admission process.
Dr. Benjamin disclosed that the names of the affected institutions will be made public once the ongoing audit is concluded, and necessary disciplinary actions will be taken.
He reaffirmed JAMB’s commitment to maintaining a fair and credible education system, adding that the era of “backdoor admissions” is over.
Expert Reactions
Education analysts have applauded JAMB’s action, describing it as a necessary step toward restoring order and accountability in the higher education sector.
According to experts, illegal admissions have long contributed to academic corruption, fake certificates, and loss of confidence in Nigerian institutions. By enforcing strict compliance with CAPS, JAMB aims to preserve academic integrity and ensure that every student gains admission on merit.
Key Takeaways
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Illegal Admissions | 2,658 |
| Institutions Involved | 17 (Names withheld pending full investigation) |
| Admission Year | 2024/2025 Academic Session |
| Admission Process Violated | Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) |
| Key Consequence | Loss of NYSC eligibility for affected students |
| Regulatory Body | Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) |
| Official Spokesperson | Dr. Fabian Benjamin |
