The Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB) has uncovered 3,000 fake graduates holding illegal certificates across the country.
This alarming revelation was made by JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, in a report published in the board’s bulletin.
During a meeting with the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State Universities in Nigeria (COPSUN) at the JAMB National Headquarters in Bwari, Abuja, Oloyede condemned the widespread issue of illegal admissions by some institutions.
He noted that many of these so-called graduates had never attended a single class, highlighting the corruption within the system.
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“Illegal admission of candidates into tertiary institutions in the country is an embarrassment and a disservice to the nation,” Oloyede stated.
He urged COPSUN to take decisive action against underhanded admissions practices, which undermine the integrity of the educational system.
The discovery comes shortly after the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education ordered JAMB to list institutions involved in irregular admissions.
JAMB had previously warned candidates against accepting admissions from institutions without full academic participation.
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In a related statement titled “Cessation of illegal or irregular admission,” JAMB reiterated that all admissions for first degrees, national diplomas, and other qualifications must be processed through JAMB.
Prof. Oloyede emphasized that any admission not captured in JAMB’s Central Admission Processing System (CAPS) is illegal and void.
JAMB also responded to a public call for better admission regularization processes, stating that the focus should be on preventing irregular admissions entirely.
The board insisted that all tertiary institution admissions must be processed through CAPS to ensure transparency and adherence to national policies.
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This crackdown follows Oloyede’s 2021 warning against admissions conducted outside CAPS, which distorted enrollment statistics necessary for national planning.
Despite repeated warnings, Nigerian tertiary institutions reportedly conducted 706,189 illegal admissions between 2017 and 2020.
According to Oloyede’s presentation, the top five universities with the highest number of illegal admissions during the period are the University of Jos, Plateau State, with 7,600 cases; Benue State University, Makurdi (6,161 cases); Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago Iwoye, Ogun State (5,669 cases); Kwara State University, Malete (4,281 cases); and Novena University, Delta State (3,432 cases).
Among the ND certificate-awarding institutions, Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, topped the list with 45,471 cases over three years. It was followed by Auchi Polytechnic, Edo State, with 37,828 cases, and Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, with 30,856 cases.
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The Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State, and the Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa, Nasarawa State, each had 24,335 cases.
JAMB’s efforts aim to uphold the quality and credibility of Nigeria’s higher education system by ensuring all admissions are transparent and lawful.