The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has uncovered 9,469 illegal admissions carried out by 20 tertiary institutions across Nigeria for the 2024 academic session.
According to the board, the affected institutions conducted the admissions outside the Central Admission Processing System (CAPS), the official online platform created to ensure transparency and standardization in Nigeria’s tertiary admission process.
CAPS allows candidates to monitor their admission status and ensures that institutions select applicants based strictly on merit and institutional criteria.
It was introduced to eliminate irregularities and streamline the system.
Despite this, several institutions bypassed the platform and admitted candidates without proper authorisation.
The highest number of such cases was recorded at Kano State University of Science and Technology, which had 2,215 illegal admissions.
It was followed by Ladoke Akintola University of Technology with 1,215, and Gombe State University with 1,164.
Others included Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Ambrose Alli University, Igbinedion University, and Akwa Ibom Polytechnic.
Also listed were the College of Nursing at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi; Achievers University; the Nigeria Police Academy; Abia State Polytechnic; Osun State University; Federal University, Lafia; and Niger State Polytechnic, among others.
JAMB warned that candidates admitted outside CAPS are not eligible for mobilisation into the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, programme.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, reinforced this position during the 2025 JAMB Policy Meeting held in Abuja.
He stated clearly that any admission done outside CAPS is illegal and would attract serious consequences.
He said institutions and individuals involved in such practices would be sanctioned.
These could include withdrawal of institutional assets and prosecution of officials or governing council members found culpable.
Alausa stressed that regardless of the motive, all admissions must follow laid-down procedures. The government, he said, is committed to restoring integrity to the nation’s tertiary education system.
