The Federal Government of Nigeria has issued a strong warning to tertiary institutions across the country, cautioning them against admitting students outside the official Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Central Admission Processing System (CAPS). According to Minister of State for Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, institutions found to be flouting this policy risk having their licenses revoked and may face additional sanctions.

The announcement, made during a press briefing in Abuja, comes amid growing concerns over rampant illegal admissions, which undermine the integrity of Nigeria’s tertiary education system and violate federal admission protocols.

CAPS: Ensuring Transparency in Admissions

The Central Admission Processing System (CAPS) was introduced by JAMB to:

• Ensure transparency and merit-based admissions

• Prevent admission racketeering and duplication

• Provide a centralized digital platform for tracking student admissions

• Ensure compliance with admission quotas, catchment policies, and regulatory approvals

Despite the system’s benefits, the Ministry of Education has received numerous reports of universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education admitting students “through the back door”—bypassing CAPS and enrolling unapproved candidates.

“No institution has the right to admit students outside CAPS,” said Dr. Alausa. “Any school involved in this illegality is violating national education policy and will have their operational license withdrawn.”

The Impact: Students and Institutions at Risk

The implications of unauthorized admissions are far-reaching:

• Students admitted illegally may have their admission nullified, leaving them stranded and frustrated.

• Institutions engaging in the practice face reputational damage, loss of accreditation, and possible legal action.

• Employers and international schools may reject certificates linked to non-compliant admission processes.

Already, several students across the country have reported cases where their university admission letters were not recognized by JAMB, preventing them from enrolling in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) or pursuing postgraduate studies.

Tertiary Institutions Under Watch

The Minister did not name specific institutions but emphasized that a full audit of admission records is ongoing. He also revealed that the National Universities Commission (NUC), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), and National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) are collaborating with JAMB to identify and penalize erring institutions.

In response, JAMB Registrar Prof. Ishaq Oloyede reaffirmed the board’s commitment to sanitizing the admission system and warned parents and students not to patronize unverified admission agents or institutions.

A Call for Compliance and Reform

Education stakeholders have welcomed the move as necessary to restore credibility to Nigeria’s higher education system. However, they also urged the government to ensure that CAPS is efficient, transparent, and easily accessible to all students and institutions.

“The integrity of our education system is non-negotiable,” said Prof. Olabisi Aransiola, an education policy analyst. “But reforms must go hand in hand with capacity building and improved access.”

Conclusion: Upholding Integrity in Education

The Federal Government’s threat to revoke licenses over illegal admissions sends a clear message: compliance with national admission policy is not optional. As Nigeria seeks to improve the global standing of its educational institutions, transparency, accountability, and fairness must be at the heart of the process.

For students and parents, the safest path remains through official channels, especially CAPS, which is designed to protect the interests of all stakeholders.

Published on Xamblog.com – Trusted news on education policy, governance, and youth development in Nigeria.

Last Updated on July 9, 2025 by kingstar