JAMB issues important update on admissions to new institutions
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued a strong warning to newly established, upgraded, and affiliated tertiary institutions, cautioning them against conducting illegal admissions and making it clear that there will be no opportunity for regularization.
During an interactive session held on Monday in Abuja with key officials from the concerned institutions, JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, stressed that all admissions must be processed exclusively through the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) and must adhere strictly to established procedures.
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Oloyede said,
CAPS ensures transparency, fairness, and integrity in admissions. Any institution attempting to bypass this platform risks nullifying such admissions
He urged the more than 80 newly approved institutions by the Federal Government to fully comply with established admission procedures.
Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS)
The Registrar explained that the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS), introduced in 2017, was designed to automate and standardize the admissions process, while the Integrated Brochure and Syllabus System (IBASS), launched in 2018, ensures transparent communication and enables eligibility verification for academic programmes.
He noted that both platforms—now enhanced with institutional email services—are JAMB’s only official channels of communication.
Prof. Oloyede commended the Federal Government, led by President Bola Tinubu, for its efforts to expand access to tertiary education. He highlighted the approval of 22 new universities, 33 new polytechnics and mono-technics, and 12 new colleges of education nationwide between late 2024 and 2025.
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He further stated that while CAPS and IBASS accounts had already been created for the newly approved institutions, only programmes that have received clearance from the National Universities Commission (NUC), the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), and the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) will be activated.
The Importance of proper onboarding procedures
Oloyede also emphasized the importance of following proper onboarding procedures for candidates, adding that institutions must appoint specific officers to manage access to both CAPS and IBASS platforms.
JAMB will provide full technical support, but compliance is non-negotiable. Institutions must avoid shortcuts. There’s no justification for admitting students through the back door, he added.
A live demonstration of the CAPS and IBASS platforms was conducted after the session to familiarize institutions with their operational procedures.
Also speaking at the event, Prof. William Qurix, Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, explained that the meeting aimed to introduce institutional heads to the functionalities of CAPS and IBASS—key platforms for communication and engagement with JAMB.
Prof. Qurix noted that some candidates had already registered for JAMB prior to the approval or establishment of certain new universities and polytechnics, making it naturally challenging for those institutions to attract candidates.
He said;
But this process has been cleared for us, and we are quite enlightened. JAMB gave us assurances of prompt response to any inquiries that might come from the heads of institutions through their CAPS or IBAS system. So definitely this meeting has definitely enlightened us, and it will have a great impact
Earlier, Dr. Uche Uba, Director of Colleges at the Ministry of Education, emphasized that newly established institutions must adhere to specific criteria outlined by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
He encouraged colleges of education to transition to a dual-mode system and engage with NUC officials to gain a thorough understanding of the required standards.
She said;
So I advise the colleges of education, please, try to meet with them. The last time we called NUC, only seven out of 15 reported to them. Please, it’s very, very important. And NUC must carry out resource verification. Because you are now standing alone. It’s not the one you did before
For his part, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), Prof. Paulinus Okwelle, praised JAMB for its efforts in creating a streamlined and efficient admission process for tertiary institutions.
He said;
JAMB has introduced cutting-edge technology and innovative approaches, seen at the beginning from when students apply for university admission, graduate exam, and then get admitted to progress. Things they are putting in place are very easy
Okwelle urged the newly approved colleges of education operating a dual-mode system—offering both degree programmes and the National Certificate in Education (NCE)—to adhere strictly to the established admission procedures in order to remain competitive.
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