The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has called on parents and qualified candidates to report any suspected bias in the admission process, particularly when applicants with credible Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) scores are denied placement in their preferred institutions.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, made this known during an interview on Good Morning Nigeria, a programme aired by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).
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In a video shared by the broadcaster on Tuesday, Oloyede noted that some parents still turn to unethical practices, having become accustomed to illegal shortcuts and believing there are no legitimate alternatives.
He, however, emphasised that the current admission framework is transparent and structured to ensure fairness.
“Many people have become so used to illegality that they think it is the only option. I have had instances where parents sent me their children’s scores, asking for assistance. I tell them I will not interfere, yet the candidates still gain admission—and they come back to thank me, even though I did nothing,” he said.
The registrar highlighted the Central Admission Processing System (CAPS) as a key tool driving transparency in the admission process.
“If you are confident in your score and believe you deserve admission but have not been offered one, you should report it to us. CAPS has simplified the entire process and made it more transparent,” he added.
Oloyede further stated that since the introduction of CAPS in 2017, the system has recorded no significant issues, describing it as efficient and capable of handling admissions without manipulation or errors.
On Direct Entry admissions, he disclosed that JAMB has tightened its verification procedures, making it increasingly difficult for candidates to present forged qualifications.
“Since 2023, the number of irregular applications has declined. Fewer people are attempting Direct Entry because they are aware of our strict screening. This year alone, we apprehended 77 individuals, while also preventing many more cases,” he said.
He explained that credentials from programmes such as JUPEB and IJMB are now thoroughly screened at the entry point, reducing the chances of falsification, although some fraudulent degree cases still surface.
According to him, all submitted degrees are now verified directly with awarding institutions, including those abroad, to curb misuse.
“This year, we encountered about four or five instances where foreign universities confirmed that the certificates presented did not originate from them.
“In the past, such issues occurred because A-level qualifications were not part of our core verification process.
However, we have since strengthened collaboration with university authorities to avoid such lapses and maintain focus,” Oloyede added.
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