In a sweeping crackdown on irregularities within Nigeria’s higher education system, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has uncovered 9,469 illegal admissions across 20 tertiary institutions for the 2024 academic session.
The flagged admissions were conducted outside the Central Admission Processing System (CAPS), the digital platform designed by JAMB to centralize, streamline, and ensure transparency in the admissions process nationwide.
Topping the list of institutions with the highest number of infractions is Kano State University of Science and Technology with 2,215 unauthorized admissions, followed by Ladoke Akintola University of Technology with 1,215 cases. Gombe State University also recorded a significant number, with 1,164 unapproved entries, while Emmanuel Alayande University of Education and the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, followed closely with 761 and 534 cases respectively.
The list, made available by JAMB, also includes Ambrose Alli University (514), Igbinedion University (365), Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic (340), and the College of Nursing at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi (281). Others cited are Achievers University (267), Nigeria Police Academy (263), Abia State Polytechnic (256), Osun State University (224), Federal University, Lafia (189), Niger State Polytechnic (182), and Federal Polytechnic, Idah (171). Institutions with fewer but still notable cases include Edo State Polytechnic (166), Anchor University (133), Michael and Cecilia Ibru University (116), and the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology (113).
CAPS was introduced by JAMB as a mechanism to enforce fairness and merit in the admissions process by allowing candidates to track their application status and ensuring institutions follow consistent criteria. The system has been widely praised for improving efficiency and accountability.
Despite warnings from the board, many institutions continue to conduct admissions outside of CAPS—an action JAMB has repeatedly deemed illegal. Candidates admitted through such unofficial means are typically ineligible for mobilization by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), further compounding the consequences.
During JAMB’s 2025 policy meeting held in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, reiterated the government’s stance, warning that any admission carried out outside the CAPS platform will not be recognized. He emphasized that both institutions and individuals involved in such practices will face punitive measures.
“Any admission conducted outside CAPS, regardless of the rationale, is illegal,” Alausa declared. “Those involved will be held accountable. Sanctions may include withdrawal of institutional privileges and prosecution of the responsible officers or governing council members.”
The exposure of these illegal admissions raises serious questions about institutional compliance and highlights the ongoing struggle to enforce standards in Nigeria’s tertiary education landscape. JAMB’s move signals a renewed commitment to curbing backdoor admissions and safeguarding the integrity of the nation’s academic system.