JAMB gives schools ultimatum to disclose illegal admissions
JAMB gives schools ultimatum to disclose illegal admissions
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued a directive to all tertiary institutions in Nigeria, requiring them to disclose within one month any admissions conducted outside its Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) before 2017.
Dr. Fabian Benjamin, JAMB’s Public Communication Advisor, announced this directive on behalf of the board’s registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, during a press briefing in Abuja on Sunday. The move is aimed at enhancing transparency and fairness in the admissions process.
“The board has noticed that some institutions are admitting candidates outside the approved CAPS platform and legitimizing these admissions through the condonement of illegal admissions window,” Benjamin said. “To address this issue, the board has decided that all institutions must disclose all candidates illegally admitted prior to 2017 within the next month, starting from August 1, 2024. Any undisclosed admissions from that period will no longer be recognized.”
He stressed that institutions must comply with this directive, as there will be no further leniency for candidates who were admitted without registering with JAMB or taking any entrance examinations.
“This initiative is aimed at curbing illegal admissions and falsification of records, ensuring compliance with CAPS provisions,” Benjamin explained. He noted that this decision marks the end of the condonement window for illegal admissions, which previously allowed institutions to incorporate unauthorized admissions into the system.
Benjamin also highlighted concerns about institutions colluding with candidates to falsify details for illegal admissions, leading to fraudulent participation in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme. Despite warnings, some institutions continued to admit candidates outside CAPS and seek condonement for these illegal admissions.
“Consequently, the board is terminating the aspect of the Condonement of Undisclosed Illegal Institutional Admission (CUIIA) process that allowed completely unregistered candidates to be introduced to the system,” he stated. “CAPS is the only authorized platform for admissions. Those who were illegally admitted between 2017 and 2020 will soon be denied the waiver unless disclosed within the next month. Institutions must disclose all candidates admitted illegally for the final time. Moving forward, the board will not tolerate any undisclosed admissions.”
Regarding the minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions for the 2024/2025 session, JAMB maintained that the minimum age remains 16 years. Candidates who will be at least 16 years old at the time of admission will be considered eligible.
“This decision follows the directive from the chairman of the 2024 tertiary admission policy meeting, who is also the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, to enforce the extant policy of 6-3-3-4 only from the 2025 session,” Benjamin said. He expressed concern over the rise in false affidavits and doctored age adjustments on NIN slips being submitted to JAMB.
Benjamin also addressed a new trend in admissions practices, such as “Daily-Part-Time” programs by certain polytechnics and “Top Up” programs by some universities. He cited a recent example from Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic in Eruwa, Oyo State, which advertised a two-year Daily-Part-Time program.
“It is crucial to clarify that these programs are not approved by the National Board for Technical Education or the National Universities Commission. They are fraudulent devices that sideline quality, approved quotas for full-time admission, falsify records, and derail the ambitions and careers of innocent candidates,” Benjamin warned.