The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has declared 2,658 illegal admissions in 2024-2025 across several Nigerian institutions.
A breakdown of JAMB’s internal report, obtained in Abuja, revealed that 17 universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education were involved in these unlawful admissions. The revelation came shortly after public universities closed their admissions for the 2025-2026 academic session.
According to JAMB data, the affected institutions include Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (1,847), Osun State University (492), Abubakar Tafari Ali Polytechnic (148), Federal College of Animal and Health Production (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), and Best Solution Polytechnic (1).
JAMB declared all these admissions illegal because the institutions made them outside the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS).
Over the years, the board has repeatedly warned institutions and candidates against conducting or accepting admissions outside CAPS. Speaking during JAMB’s 2025 policy meeting, Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa said institutions involved in admission racketeering would face strict penalties, including asset forfeiture and official sanctions.
He stressed that CAPS, introduced in 2017, promotes merit-based admissions, fairness, and transparency. The system allows applicants to monitor offers, accept or reject admissions, and verify their current status.
JAMB also cautioned students who enroll through illegal admissions in 2024-2025 that they risk losing eligibility for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program, which is mandatory for Nigerian graduates.
