The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has mandated that all Nigerian universities and tertiary institutions must disclose any admissions conducted outside its Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) before 2017 by the end of August.
This directive, aimed at promoting transparency and fairness, was announced by JAMB’s spokesperson, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, during a press briefing in Abuja.
Dr. Benjamin stated that while JAMB will regularize all illegal admissions made prior to 2017, no such admissions will be accepted after the August deadline.
The decision is intended to prevent institutions from admitting students outside the approved CAPS platform and subsequently seeking to legitimize those admissions.
JAMB’s move to close the “Condonement of Illegal Admissions” window is part of a broader effort to curb unauthorized admissions and record falsifications, ensuring compliance with CAPS provisions. Dr. Benjamin emphasized that institutions must now disclose any candidates illegally admitted before 2017, as any undisclosed admissions will no longer be recognized.
The Board also highlighted ongoing issues with institutions colluding with candidates to falsify records for illegal admissions, which has led to fraudulent participation in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
Despite previous warnings, some institutions continue to admit candidates outside CAPS and seek to incorporate these undisclosed admissions.
JAMB reiterated that CAPS is the only authorized platform for admissions and stressed that the minimum age for admission remains 16 years for the 2024 session.
Furthermore, JAMB expressed concern over new admissions practices, such as the “Daily-Part-Time” (DPT) programs advertised by some polytechnics, which are not approved by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) or the National Universities Commission (NUC).
These unapproved programs are seen as attempts to bypass quality standards and full-time admission quotas, leading to fraudulent admissions and undermining the integrity of the education system.
Institutions admitting candidates through these unrecognized programs have been warned to desist from such practices.
