An analysis of admissions data for the 2022/2023 session in Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and other tertiary institutions revealed that 88 institutions conducted admissions outside the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS). According to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), such admissions are considered illegal, null, and void.
JAMB introduced CAPS in 2017, requiring all tertiary institutions to upload the admission status of candidates. This system centralizes and automates the admission process between candidates and their chosen institutions. In 2020, JAMB warned institutions to stop offering admissions through their own portals, calling this practice a flagrant abuse of CAPS.
In April 2024, JAMB announced it would no longer tolerate illegal admissions conducted outside CAPS. The board issued a bulletin warning candidates against accepting admissions not processed through CAPS. In the statement titled “Cessation of Illegal/Irregular Admission,” JAMB emphasized that all admissions applications, whether for first degrees, national diplomas, national innovation diplomas, or the Nigeria Certificate in Education, must be processed through JAMB for full-time, distance learning, part-time, outreach, sandwich programs, and others.
In a report titled “Compiled Assessment of Institutions on Compliance with the 2022/2023 Admission Guidelines,” JAMB noted that institutions fully complying with admission guidelines received 10 points, those with partial compliance received five points, and those that failed to comply received zero points. Under the section on the conduct of full admissions on CAPS, it was observed that 88 institutions did not comply.
Some of the non-compliant institutions include 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.