JAMB Gives Schools Ultimatum to Disclose Illegal Admissions

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued a one-month ultimatum to all tertiary institutions in Nigeria to disclose all admissions conducted outside its Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) before 2017. The directive aims to enhance transparency and fairness in the admissions process. Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, the Public Communication Advisor for JAMB, conveyed the board’s position on behalf of its registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede. He stated, “The attention of the board has been drawn to the predilection of some institutions to admit candidates outside the approved Central Admissions Processing System platform and process such through the condonement of illegal admissions window to accord legitimacy.” Benjamin emphasized that institutions must disclose all candidates admitted illegally prior to 2017 within the next month, starting from August 1, 2024. Any admissions not disclosed within this period will no longer be recognized. The board is terminating the practice of condoning undisclosed illegal admissions, which has allowed institutions to legitimize unauthorized admissions in the past.

JAMB's decision marks a significant step in curbing illegal admissions and ensuring that all admissions processes comply with CAPS. Benjamin expressed concern over the collusion between institutions and candidates to falsify details for illegal admissions, leading to fraudulent participation in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme. He warned that institutions continuing to admit candidates outside CAPS and seeking condonement of undisclosed illegal institutional admission (CUIIA) will face consequences. “CAPS is the only authorized platform for admissions,” he reiterated, adding that even candidates admitted illegally between 2017 and 2020 will soon be denied the opportunity of a waiver unless disclosed within the stipulated period. Regarding the minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions for the 2024/2025 session, JAMB maintained that candidates must be at least 16 years old at the time of admission. This follows a directive from the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, to enforce the extant 6-3-3-4 educational policy starting from the 2025 session. Benjamin raised concerns about the submission of falsified age documents to JAMB, stressing that those below the age of 16 will not be admitted.

Additionally, Benjamin highlighted the emergence of unauthorized programs such as "Daily-Part-Time" by certain polytechnics and "Top Up" by some universities. He clarified that these programs are not approved by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) or the National Universities Commission (NUC) and are considered fraudulent attempts to circumvent approved admission quotas and rake in illegitimate income. He specifically cited a recent advertisement by Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic, Eruwa, in Oyo State, inviting candidates to apply for a two-year Daily-Part-Time program, which he described as a deviation from the approved educational framework in Nigeria."