An analysis of admission data for the 2022/2023 session in Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and other tertiary institutions has revealed that 88 institutions conducted admissions outside the Central Admissions Processing System.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has declared such admissions illegal, null, and void.
CAPS, introduced by JAMB in 2017, centralizes and automates the admission process for candidates and their chosen tertiary institutions. In 2020, JAMB explicitly warned institutions to cease offering admissions through their own portals, labeling the practice as a blatant abuse of CAPS.
In April 2024, JAMB reiterated its stance, stating it would no longer tolerate illegal admissions conducted outside CAPS. The board issued a bulletin advising candidates to reject any admissions not processed through CAPS.
The bulletin, titled “Cessation of Illegal/Irregular Admission,” emphasized that all applications for first-degree, national diploma, national innovation diploma, and the Nigeria Certificate in Education (including full-time, distance learning, part-time, outreach, sandwich, etc.) must be processed exclusively through JAMB.
A report, “Compiled Assessment of Institutions on Compliance with the 2022/2023 Admission Guidelines,” detailed JAMB’s scoring system: institutions fully complying with admission guidelines received 10 points, those partially complying received five points, and non-compliant institutions received zero points. Notably, 88 institutions failed to comply with CAPS.
Among the non-compliant institutions are the University of Uyo, University of Abuja, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Yaba College of Technology, Plateau State University, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Coal City University, Crawford University, Crescent University, Ebonyi State University, Rhema University, Borno State University, Chrisland University, Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Alvan Ikoku College of Education, and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu University.
