JAMB Flags 9,469 Illegal Admissions Across 20 Tertiary Institutions

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has uncovered a staggering 9,469 illegal admissions allegedly processed by 20 tertiary institutions across Nigeria for the 2024 academic session, in clear violation of the centralised admission guidelines.

According to data obtained from JAMB, these admissions were conducted outside the officially approved Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) — the platform designed to ensure transparency, merit-based selection, and due process in Nigeria’s tertiary admission system.

Topping the list of defaulting institutions is the Kano State University of Science and Technology, which recorded 2,215 illegal admissions, followed by Ladoke Akintola University of Technology with 1,215 cases. Other institutions identified include:

Gombe State University — 1,164

Emmanuel Alayande University of Education — 761

Federal University of Technology, Owerri — 534

Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma — 514

Igbinedion University, Okada — 365

Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic — 340

College of Nursing, National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi — 281

Achievers University, Owo — 267

Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil — 263

Abia State Polytechnic — 256

Osun State University — 224

Federal University of Lafia — 189

Niger State Polytechnic — 182

Federal Polytechnic, Idah — 171

Edo State Polytechnic — 166

Anchor University, Lagos — 133

Michael and Cecilia Ibru University — 116

Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology — 113

Introduced to curb admission racketeering, JAMB CAPS serves as a centralised platform where candidates can monitor, accept, or reject admission offers. The system is designed to guarantee fairness and uniformity in the admission process across all tertiary institutions.

JAMB has consistently warned against the unauthorised admission of candidates outside CAPS, stating that such candidates risk disqualification from critical national processes, including mobilisation for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

Reinforcing this stance, Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, at the 2025 JAMB Policy Meeting in Abuja last week, declared all admissions conducted outside the CAPS platform as illegal.

“Any admission conducted outside CAPS, irrespective of the circumstances, is null and void. Institutions and individuals found culpable will face severe sanctions, including prosecution, withdrawal of institutional privileges, and possible action against governing council members,” the minister warned.

JAMB’s latest revelation underscores the persistent challenge of admission malpractice within Nigeria’s higher education sector, despite repeated warnings and reforms aimed at enforcing accountability and meritocracy.