The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued a stern warning to all public universities in Nigeria that have yet to submit or finalize their admission lists for the 2024/2025 academic session. The Board emphasized that all public tertiary institutions must adhere strictly to the October 31 admission deadline, warning that failure to comply would attract serious consequences.
This reminder comes amid growing concerns that some universities are lagging behind in processing their candidates’ admission status through the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) — the official online platform used to regulate and monitor admissions across all tertiary institutions in the country.
JAMB’s Official Timeline for Admission Process
According to the Board’s policy meeting earlier held on July 18, the following deadlines were set for all categories of tertiary institutions in Nigeria:
| Institution Type | Deadline for First Choice Submissions | Admission Exercise Closing Date |
|---|---|---|
| Public Universities | September 30 | October 31 |
| Private Universities | October 31 | November 30 |
| Polytechnics/Colleges of Education | — | December 31 |
JAMB stated that these dates were agreed upon to ensure a smooth and synchronized admission process across the country and to allow institutions to commence academic sessions on schedule.
Defaulter Institutions Under Watch
Despite the clear directive, several public universities are yet to meet the stipulated timelines. JAMB noted that some institutions have not made any first-choice admission submissions on CAPS since the policy meeting. The Board specifically mentioned a few of the defaulting universities, which include:
- Northwest University, Kano
- Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA)
- Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo, among others.
These institutions are being closely monitored as the October 31 deadline draws near, and they have been urged to take immediate action to avoid sanctions.
Possible Consequences for Non-Compliance
JAMB warned that any institution that fails to process admissions on time will face automatic consequences. According to the Board, all unprocessed or pending candidates in the affected schools’ lists will be automatically moved to other available institutions that are ready to admit students within the approved time frame.
This policy is designed to protect students from losing admission opportunities due to administrative delays on the part of institutions. It also ensures that every candidate’s effort and resources are not wasted because of a university’s failure to comply with established timelines.
Why the Deadline Is Crucial
JAMB stressed that maintaining strict adherence to admission deadlines is essential for the stability of Nigeria’s tertiary education system. Over the years, delayed admissions have led to academic calendar distortions, overlapping sessions, and reduced teaching quality.
By enforcing these deadlines, JAMB aims to:
- Restore consistency in academic calendars across universities.
- Prevent unnecessary carryovers of admission exercises.
- Protect students’ rights to timely and transparent admission processing.
- Ensure that the new academic session begins uniformly across all institutions.
The Board reaffirmed its commitment to building a fair, transparent, and efficient admission process that serves both the institutions and the students equitably.
Universities Urged to Step Up
JAMB has therefore urged all Vice-Chancellors, Registrars, and Admission Officers of public universities to expedite action and complete their admission processes before October 31. The Board emphasized that any attempt to breach or extend the deadline will not be entertained under any circumstance.
Institutions are also encouraged to constantly update their CAPS dashboards and ensure that all qualified candidates are properly recommended, approved, and admitted before the system closes for the year.
JAMB’s Commitment to Transparency
In its statement, JAMB reiterated that the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) remains the only valid platform for admission approvals. The Board explained that CAPS was introduced to curb admission irregularities, eliminate multiple admissions, and guarantee that all candidates are admitted based on merit, catchment area, and other legitimate criteria.
According to JAMB, any university that tries to circumvent the CAPS process or delay it unnecessarily will be sanctioned accordingly.
Looking Ahead: What This Means for Candidates
For candidates seeking admission into public universities, JAMB’s announcement is both a warning and a reassurance. While some universities may still be slow in processing their lists, candidates can rest assured that JAMB will not allow their efforts to be in vain. The system ensures that no qualified student is left stranded due to administrative bottlenecks.
Candidates are therefore advised to:
- Regularly check their CAPS profiles to monitor their admission status.
- Accept or reject offers promptly when available.
- Stay updated with information released by their chosen institutions.
