JAMB Uncovers 2,658 Illegal Admissions in Tertiary Institutions Nationwide

By our Correspondent

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has identified 2,658 cases of illegal admissions carried out by several tertiary institutions across the country during the 2024/2025 academic session, raising new concerns about adherence to federal admission guidelines.

A detailed institutional report obtained by The PUNCH in Abuja on Friday indicated that the affected cases span 17 universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education across Nigeria.

According to JAMB, the flagged admissions were conducted outside the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) — the only officially approved platform for legitimate admissions into Nigerian tertiary institutions.

Under JAMB’s rules, all admissions must go through CAPS to guarantee transparency, fairness, and compliance with federal policies such as the national quota system and federal character principles. However, the latest audit revealed that several institutions continue to bypass the process, admitting candidates directly in breach of established procedures.

The report showed that Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, topped the list with 1,847 illegal admissions, followed by Osun State University with 492, and Abubakar Tafari Ali Polytechnic, which recorded 148 cases.

Other institutions mentioned include:

Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology – 66

University of Calabar – 28

College of Education, Oro – 12

Michael and Cecilia Ibru University – 12

Redeemer’s University – 5

Pan-Atlantic University – 5

Nigerian Army College of Education – 2

Kwara State Polytechnic – 1

Best Solution Polytechnic – 1

While JAMB did not immediately disclose specific sanctions, it reaffirmed that all such admissions are “null and void,” adding that affected students would not be recognized for matriculation or national data purposes.

A senior JAMB official, who spoke anonymously, emphasized the Board’s commitment to enforcing compliance across institutions.

“CAPS was created to eliminate backdoor admissions and promote fairness in the system. Any institution still admitting outside the platform is breaching federal policy and jeopardizing students’ academic status,” the official stated.

Education experts say the findings reflect ongoing abuses of institutional autonomy in Nigeria’s higher education sector. While universities and colleges possess limited discretion in admissions, they are still required to process all offers through JAMB’s central system to maintain national integrity.

The revelation coincides with the conclusion of the 2025/2026 admission cycle for public universities, which JAMB said it would strictly enforce.

Over time, the Board has cautioned institutions against offering admissions through unauthorized channels. In 2023, it nullified hundreds of such entries and directed affected schools to readmit students properly — a move that temporarily strained relations between JAMB and some vice-chancellors.

JAMB reaffirmed that the CAPS platform remains a vital pillar of Nigeria’s admission reform, ensuring merit-based selection and preventing irregularities such as multiple admissions and forgery. Students admitted outside CAPS, it warned, will not appear on the official Matriculation List that confirms recognized admission status.

Education stakeholders have urged JAMB to introduce stricter penalties, including withdrawal of admission quotas or temporary suspension of erring institutions, to deter future violations.

As Nigeria works to expand access to tertiary education, the latest development once again exposes the lingering conflict between institutional autonomy and federal oversight — a challenge JAMB appears determined to address through strict enforcement of its centralized admission system.