JAMB Warns Schools Against Forcing Programme Changes

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued a clear warning to higher education institutions involved in unethical practices that manipulate the merit-based admission process on its Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS).

In a statement by Fabian Benjamin, the Board’s Head of Media and Public Relations, JAMB stated that it has received reports indicating that some institutions are pressuring or persuading qualified candidates, especially those with high rankings on CAPS, to change from their preferred programmes to less-popular ones.

The Board explained that this practice intentionally aims to create opportunities for favoured candidates at these institutions to improve their admission ranking, which undermines the fairness, transparency, and integrity of the admission process.

“The Board wants to remind all candidates and institutions that admissions in Nigeria are conducted only through CAPS, the system designed to provide accountability, transparency, and equal chances for admission placements,” the statement said.

JAMB described any programme change or admission activities carried out outside CAPS as unauthorised, unethical, and ultimately harmful to the candidates involved. It warned that these misleading “backdoor methods” will not be tolerated.

Therefore, the Board advised candidates to ignore any requests from institutions asking them to change their programmes through internal portals or unofficial means.

JAMB also clarified that any programme change later appearing on CAPS after an institution has influenced a candidate will be seen as voluntary, and the Board will not be held responsible for the outcomes.

Initial enquiries by JAMB have identified one university in the South-West and another in Abuja as being involved in such unethical behaviour. The Board announced that it has started regulatory measures to address these violations and protect candidates’ interests.

JAMB reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that all qualified candidates receive fair, equal, and transparent treatment during the 2025 admission process and beyond.