The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has uncovered 2,658 illegal admissions carried out by 17 tertiary institutions during the 2024/2025 academic session.
A breakdown of the institutional analysis obtained by our correspondent on Friday in Abuja showed that the affected schools include universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
The discovery comes as public universities concluded the admission process for the 2025/2026 session on Friday.
According to the data, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University accounted for the highest number with 1,847 cases, followed by Osun State University with 492. Others include 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), among others.
News Round The Clock notes that JAMB regards any admission processed outside its Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) as illegal.
ALSO READ
Over the years, the board has repeatedly cautioned institutions and prospective students against conducting or accepting admissions outside CAPS.
During the 2025 policy meeting, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, reiterated the government’s position, warning that “severe sanctions, including withdrawal of assets and punishment of officials, would be meted out to institutions involved in illegal admission racketeering.”
Introduced in 2017, CAPS was designed to promote transparency, fairness, and merit in the admission process. It enables candidates to monitor their admission status, accept or reject offers, and verify their records.
JAMB also reminded candidates that those who accept admissions not processed through CAPS risk being disqualified from participating in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme.
