The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has uncovered 9,469 illegal admissions carried out by 20 tertiary institutions across Nigeria for the 2024 academic session, bypassing the mandatory Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS).
The discovery, according to the board, underscores growing concerns over the continued defiance of regulatory processes by some institutions. CAPS was designed by JAMB to centralize and standardize admissions, ensuring fairness, transparency, and merit-based placement into Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
A detailed list obtained from JAMB shows Kano State University of Science and Technology topping the chart with 2,215 unauthorized admissions. Following closely is Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) with 1,215 cases, while Gombe State University recorded 1,164.
Other institutions implicated include:
- Emmanuel Alayande University of Education – 761
- Federal University of Technology, Owerri – 534
- Ambrose Alli University – 514
- Igbinedion University – 365
- Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic – 340
- College of Nursing, National Orthopedic Hospital, Igbobi – 281
- Achievers University – 267
- Nigeria Police Academy – 263
- Abia State Polytechnic – 256
- Osun State University – 224
- Federal University, Lafia – 189
- Niger State Polytechnic – 182
- Federal Polytechnic, Idah – 171
- Edo State Polytechnic – 166
- Anchor University – 133
- Michael and Cecilia Ibru University – 116
- Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology – 113
JAMB reiterated that admissions conducted outside CAPS are illegal and in violation of national policy. CAPS allows candidates to monitor and accept admission offers in real time and is central to ensuring that candidates are treated fairly and according to institutional merit requirements.
In a stern warning last week during the 2025 JAMB policy meeting held in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s zero-tolerance stance on irregular admissions.
“Any admission conducted outside CAPS, regardless of its intentions, is illegal,” Alausa declared.
“Both institutions and the candidates involved in such practices will be held accountable. Sanctions may include withdrawal of institutional assets and prosecution of culpable officers or governing council members.”
The Minister further warned that students admitted through unauthorized routes risk being disqualified from participating in national schemes like the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
JAMB says it is already compiling the names of candidates and institutions involved and will collaborate with relevant agencies to ensure that sanctions are fully enforced. The board also encouraged students and parents to remain vigilant and report suspicious admissions that bypass the CAPS system.
The crackdown marks JAMB’s latest effort in sanitizing Nigeria’s tertiary admission system, as the agency continues to confront institutions that attempt to undermine standardized procedures for personal or institutional gain.
