The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has identified a staggering 9,469 fraudulent admissions across 20 Nigerian tertiary institutions for the 2024 academic session. These admissions were conducted outside the Central Admission Processing System (CAPS), a platform designed to ensure transparency and meritocracy in the admissions process. This alarming discovery highlights a persistent challenge in the Nigerian education system, raising concerns about the integrity of admissions procedures and the potential for corruption. The institutions involved span the country and include universities, polytechnics, and specialized colleges.
Kano State University of Science and Technology tops the list with 2,215 fake admissions, followed by Ladoke Akintola University of Technology with 1,215. Gombe State University (1,164) and Emmanuel Alayande University of Education (761) also recorded significant numbers of fraudulent admissions. Other institutions implicated include Federal University of Technology, Owerri (534), Ambrose Alli University (514), Igbinedion University (365), Akwa Ibom Polytechnic (340), and the College of Nursing, National Orthopedic Hospital, Igbobi (281). These figures reveal a widespread problem that necessitates urgent action to restore public trust in the admissions system.
The remaining institutions on the list include 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, Ida (171), Edo State Polytechnic (166), Anchor University (133), Michael and Cecilia Ibru University (116), and the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology (113). The diversity of these institutions underscores the systemic nature of the problem, indicating a need for comprehensive reforms and stricter enforcement of existing regulations.
JAMB introduced CAPS to address the historical challenges of opacity and inequity in the admissions process. This online platform allows prospective students to monitor their admission status, ensuring transparency and accountability. CAPS centralizes the admission process, allowing for a standardized evaluation of candidates based on merit and institutional requirements. This system aims to create a level playing field for all applicants, eliminating opportunities for manipulation and favoritism.
The core functions of CAPS include streamlining the admission process, ensuring transparency, and guaranteeing fair evaluation. By providing real-time updates on application status, CAPS enhances efficiency and reduces anxiety for prospective students. Institutions can also process admissions more swiftly, improving overall system efficiency. This centralized platform allows JAMB to monitor admissions across all participating institutions, identifying and addressing irregularities like the fake admissions recently uncovered.
JAMB has consistently warned institutions against conducting admissions outside CAPS, emphasizing the consequences for both institutions and students involved. Candidates admitted outside CAPS are ineligible for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme, a mandatory program for Nigerian graduates. The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, recently reinforced this directive, declaring all admissions conducted outside JAMB illegal and subject to severe sanctions. These sanctions can include the withdrawal of institutional assets and prosecution of culpable officers or governing council members. This firm stance by the Ministry of Education signals a commitment to addressing the issue of fraudulent admissions and ensuring the integrity of the Nigerian education system. The large number of fake admissions discovered this year further underscores the need for continued vigilance and robust enforcement of these regulations.
