JAMB to sanction universities not submitting admission lists

In order to combat fake certificates and admission racketeering, the Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) has threatened to sanction higher institutions that fail to submit lists of students admitted immediately after matriculation.

A memo released by JAMB to the press, titled CLARIFICATION ON DISCLOSURE OF ADMITTED CANDIDATES OUTSIDE CAPS (2017-DATE), carries the details of the information.

According to JAMB’s Public Communications Advisor, Fabian Benjamin, the initiative is one of the recommendations set up by the Federal Government to combat fake degree racketeering in the country.

Furthermore, the memo states that institutions are to “regularly submit their matriculation lists to the Federal Ministry of Education no later than three months after matriculation ceremonies.” The list is expected to be submitted through the dedicated channel of JAMB.

“The Board has observed a large number of candidates thronging its offices to resolve issues related to the disclosure of candidates admitted outside the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) from 2017 to date. While we appreciate the enthusiasm, we must correct the misconception that the focus is on candidates’ actions. The true emphasis lies with the institutions, which must disclose all candidates admitted outside CAPS before the August 31st, 2024 deadline.

READ ALSO: JAMB stops illegal admissions 

“This directive requires immediate attention and compliance. We urge institutions to carefully review our initial letter and ensure full compliance, as failure to disclose will result in severe consequences. Candidates are also reminded not to accept admissions outside CAPS.

“The Board reiterates that candidates not disclosed by institutions will not be entertained. The Board will not tolerate any condonement of undisclosed admissions moving forward.”

The development comes after the Federal Government set up an Inter-Ministerial Investigative Committee on Degree Certificate Milling to probe the activities of certificate racketeers.

In a similar development, in a memo addressed to JAMB on July 15, 2024, the Education Ministry said, “You may recall that following the publication of allegations of certificate racketeering involving some foreign institutions, especially in Cotonou, Benin Republic, and other countries, the ministry constituted an inter-ministerial committee to investigate the allegations to find lasting solutions.

“The committee has submitted its report, and the Honourable Minister of Education has approved its recommendations for implementation.

“In that regard, I hereby convey the request of the honourable minister for the implementation of the following recommendations of the committee:

“Enforce the mandatory requirement for all tertiary institutions in Nigeria to exclusively conduct their admissions processes through the Central Admissions Processing System under the auspices of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board; mandate all tertiary institutions in Nigeria to regularly submit their matriculation lists to the Federal Ministry of Education no later than three months after matriculation ceremonies through the dedicated channel of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board.

“You are kindly requested to implement the above recommendations and furnish the ministry with implementation updates.”

This is in addition to the earlier 101 certificates that were recently voided by the scheme, making a total of 178.

READ ALSO: JAMB directs institutions to disclose illegal admissions within one month

An investigation by *Daily Nigerian* reporter Umar Audu revealed how he obtained a degree within six weeks, after which he returned to Nigeria and embarked on the mandatory one-year NYSC service. The investigation led to the FG placing a ban on the accreditation and evaluation of degrees from Benin Republic and Togo.

The Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, then vowed to flush out holders of fake degrees from the Nigerian educational system.