The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued a stern warning to tertiary institutions engaging in unethical practices aimed at manipulating the merit-based admission process on its Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS).
In a statement signed by Fabian Benjamin, the Board’s Head of Media and Public Relations, JAMB disclosed that it had received reports indicating that some institutions were using their internal portals to pressure or persuade qualified candidates particularly those ranked highly on CAPS to change from their preferred programmes to less-subscribed ones.
According to the Board, the practice is a deliberate attempt to create room for institutions’ preferred candidates to move up the admission ranking order, thereby undermining the fairness, transparency, and integrity of the admission process.
“The Board wishes to remind all candidates and institutions that all admission processes in Nigeria are conducted exclusively through CAPS, the platform created to ensure accountability, transparency, and equal opportunity in admission placements,” the statement read.
JAMB described any change of programme or admission activity carried out outside CAPS as unauthorised, unethical, and ultimately detrimental to the affected candidates. It warned that such “backdoor manoeuvres” are deceptive and will not be condoned.
Consequently, the Board urged candidates to disregard any invitation or request from institutions asking them to change their programmes through internal portals or unofficial channels.
It further clarified that any programme change later reflected on CAPS after a candidate has been influenced by an institution will be deemed voluntary, and the Board will not be held responsible for the outcome.
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Preliminary investigations, according to JAMB, have revealed that a university in the South-West and another in Abuja were involved in such unethical practices. The Board stated that it has initiated appropriate regulatory measures to address the violations and protect candidates’ interests.
JAMB reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that all qualified candidates are treated with fairness, equity, and transparency throughout the 2025 admission exercise and beyond.
It urged candidates to remain vigilant and conduct all admission-related activities strictly through the JAMB CAPS portal.
