JAMB Issues Warning to Institutions Over Unethical Programme Change Requests; The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued a strong warning to tertiary institutions engaging in unethical practices by using their internal portals to pressure or persuade qualified candidates—particularly those highly ranked on the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS)—to change from their preferred programmes to less-subscribed ones.
According to JAMB, such actions are deliberate attempts to manipulate the merit-based admission process in order to favour certain candidates. The Board emphasized that all admission activities in Nigeria must be conducted exclusively through CAPS, the official platform designed to promote fairness, transparency, and accountability in admissions.
The statement reads in part:
“This unethical practice is designed to create room for the institutions’ preferred candidates to move up in the admission ranking order, a clear manipulation of the merit-based process established to ensure transparency and fairness.”
JAMB further noted that any change of programme or admission activity conducted outside CAPS is unauthorized and invalid, warning candidates to ignore invitations or requests made through institutional portals or unofficial means.
The Board clarified that any subsequent change made on CAPS after such persuasion will be considered voluntary, and JAMB will not be held liable for any consequences arising from such decisions.
Preliminary investigations by the Board have identified a university in the South-West and another in Abuja as being involved in the unethical practice. JAMB confirmed that regulatory measures are already being taken to address the situation and to safeguard the interests of affected candidates.
Candidates are, therefore, advised to remain vigilant and conduct all admission-related activities strictly through the official JAMB CAPS portal.
“The Board reaffirms its unwavering commitment to ensuring that all qualified candidates are treated with fairness, equity, and transparency in the 2025 admission exercise and beyond,”
— Dr. Fabian Benjamin, Head of Media, JAMB.
