Abuja – The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has cautioned tertiary institutions against admitting students outside the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS), labeling the practice “illegal” and warning of disciplinary action.
The warning was delivered by JAMB Registrar Prof. Ishaq Oloyede at the board’s 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions into Tertiary Institutions, held on Monday in Abuja. Prof. Oloyede said a number of institutions continue to issue admission letters to candidates who have not been cleared through CAPS, in direct contravention of Federal Government directives.
“The continued use of non‑CAPS admissions undermines transparency and fairness in the university entry process,” Oloyede stated. He noted that the irregularities have resulted in situations where candidates with higher JAMB scores are denied entry while those with lower scores are admitted.
According to the registrar, JAMB has already commenced disciplinary proceedings against the offending institutions and will impose sanctions as appropriate. A case involving eleven universities accused of illegal admissions is presently before a federal court.
Addressing rumors that candidates were being posted to examination centres outside their chosen towns, Oloyede clarified that students select their preferred examination towns during registration and are assigned only to centres within those locations. “Our investigations have found no evidence of a candidate being posted outside his or her selected town,” he affirmed. The matter has also been reviewed by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
The registrar reiterated that all admissions must be processed through CAPS, urging institutions to adhere strictly to the approved procedures. Failure to comply could result in further legal action and the revocation of admission offers.
The board’s stern reminder comes amid heightened scrutiny of Nigeria’s higher‑education admission system, with stakeholders calling for greater accountability and a level playing field for all applicants. JAMB’s enforcement of CAPS is seen as essential to restoring confidence in the merit‑based selection of candidates for tertiary study.
