```html JAMB Uncovers Massive Illegal Admission Scandal Across 20 Nigerian Institutions The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has revealed a widespread breach of admission protocols, uncovering 9,469 illegal admissions across 20 tertiary institutions in Nigeria during the 2024 academic session. The admissions, conducted outside the officially mandated Central Admission Processing System (CAPS), have been declared invalid, raising concerns about transparency and fairness in the university admission process.

Institutions Flouting Admission Guidelines Face Severe Penalties JAMB has vowed to collaborate with relevant authorities to ensure that implicated institutions face appropriate sanctions, potentially including the withdrawal of accreditation and legal action. The board insists that the CAPS system, designed to ensure equity and accountability, was deliberately circumvented, undermining its core objectives.

Kano State University of Science and Technology Leads List of Offenders According to the data released by JAMB, Kano State University of Science and Technology recorded the highest number of unauthorized admissions, with 2,215 cases. Ladoke Akintola University of Technology followed with 1,215 illegal admissions. Other institutions implicated in the scandal include Gombe State University (1,164), Emmanuel Alayande University of Education (761), and the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (534). A range of other institutions, including Ambrose Alli University, Igbinedion University, Akwa Ibom Polytechnic, the Nigeria Police Academy, and several polytechnics and colleges of education are also under scrutiny.

Minister of Education Condemns Illegal Admissions “Any admission conducted outside CAPS, regardless of its intentions, is illegal,” stated the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, during the 2025 JAMB policy meeting held in Abuja. “Institutions and individuals found culpable will be prosecuted and severely sanctioned.” The Minister's strong stance underscores the government's commitment to upholding the integrity of the admission process.

CAPS: A System Designed for Transparency and Fairness CAPS, JAMB's official online platform, was introduced to streamline the admission process, ensuring transparency, fairness, and accountability. The system aims to eliminate irregularities and corruption that previously plagued tertiary education admissions in Nigeria. JAMB has consistently warned against "backdoor" admissions, emphasizing that students admitted outside CAPS would not be eligible for the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.

Historical Context: The Evolution of University Admissions in Nigeria Prior to the introduction of CAPS, university admissions in Nigeria were often marred by allegations of corruption, nepotism, and favoritism. The manual system lacked transparency, creating opportunities for unethical practices. The introduction of JAMB and, subsequently, CAPS, represented a significant step towards standardizing the admission process and promoting meritocracy. However, the recent discovery of widespread illegal admissions indicates that challenges remain in fully eradicating these issues.

Expert Analysis: The Implications of Illegal Admissions Dr. Adebayo Oluwole, an education policy analyst at the Centre for Education Research and Development, notes that "the scale of these illegal admissions is deeply concerning. It not only undermines the credibility of the affected institutions but also raises questions about the effectiveness of oversight mechanisms. The long-term impact could be a decline in the quality of graduates and a loss of public trust in the education system." Furthermore, according to Professor Aisha Mohammed, a specialist in educational administration at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, “This situation calls for a comprehensive review of admission processes across all tertiary institutions. Stricter monitoring and enforcement of regulations are crucial to prevent future occurrences. There is also a need to strengthen the capacity of JAMB to effectively oversee the admission process and address any loopholes that may be exploited by unscrupulous individuals.”

Looking Ahead: Strengthening the Admission Process JAMB's commitment to pursuing legal action and withdrawing accreditation from offending institutions signals a determined effort to address the issue. However, sustained vigilance and continuous improvement of the CAPS system are essential to prevent future breaches and ensure that all qualified candidates have a fair opportunity to access tertiary education in Nigeria. ```