JAMB Uncovers 15,000 Fake Admission Letters Used for NYSC Mobilisation

The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Is-haq Oloyede, has revealed that the agency uncovered no fewer than 15,000 cases of forged admission letters used by candidates to gain eligibility for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) mobilisation.

Professor Oloyede made this shocking disclosure during the NYSC 2025 Batch C Pre-Mobilisation Workshop held in Abuja, warning that those found guilty will face full legal consequences.

According to him, the board has already begun prosecuting offenders for forgery and related offences, while several top university officials are currently being investigated by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

Senior University Officials, JAMB Staff Arrested

The JAMB Registrar confirmed that 17 deputy vice-chancellors, several deputy registrars, and four JAMB officials have been arrested and are in ICPC custody for their alleged roles in the admission fraud.

“One day, I had to run to your predecessor because I couldn’t believe that 15,000 candidates forged admission letters,” Oloyede said. “As I speak, some deputy registrars and deputy vice-chancellors—no fewer than 17—along with four of our staff members, are in prison custody. We handed them over to ICPC. Those who want to go to jail should do so knowingly, not by accident.”

The Registrar urged all institutions and candidates to abide by established procedures, stressing that adherence to rules would prevent unnecessary scandals and penalties.

NYSC Raises Concern Over Forged Credentials and Data Fraud

The Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier-General Olakunle Nafiu, expressed concern about the growing number of unqualified individuals attempting to infiltrate the NYSC mobilisation process through forged credentials, multiple registrations, and identity theft.

He noted that the credibility of the NYSC mobilisation process must not be compromised, as it remains central to Nigeria’s national development and youth integration efforts.

“Mobilising eligible Nigerian graduates for national service is a key part of our mandate,” he said. “Over the years, the NYSC has maintained public confidence in its mobilisation process, both in the analogue and digital eras. For over 11 years now, our mobilisation process has been largely digitised, ensuring transparency and accountability.”

Data Integrity Still a Challenge

The Director of Corps Mobilisation, Rachel Idaewor, explained that despite the progress made in digitising NYSC operations, issues of data integrity remain a major challenge.

“Fraudulent uploading of unqualified persons continues to undermine the credibility of our mobilisation process,” she said. “The integrity of our data is not just a technical matter—it has real consequences for the personal and professional futures of our young people.”

She urged all stakeholders to take decisive steps in addressing these issues to preserve the trust and transparency associated with the NYSC scheme.

JAMB Extends 2025 Admission Deadline for Public Universities

In a related development, JAMB has extended the admission deadline for public universities from October 31 to November 17, 2025.

According to a bulletin issued by the board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, the extension followed appeals from university administrators and was influenced by new accreditation processes that required additional time for completion.

The board clarified that this will be the final extension, warning that no further adjustments will be granted.

“The Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (AVCNU) appealed for an extension due to disruptions caused by a court order on the 2025/2026 admission list, which was only lifted on October 28,” JAMB explained.

The Registrar added that the National Universities Commission (NUC) recently accredited 229 new academic programmes across 37 universities, and admissions into these programmes are just being scheduled.

JAMB to Sanction Schools Involved in Irregular UTME Registrations

JAMB also announced plans to report six secondary schools to the Federal Ministry of Education for participating in irregular registration practices during the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

The affected schools include:

• Federal Government Girls College, Onitsha
• St. Maria Goretti Girls Secondary School, Nkwerre-Orlu
• Finek Group of Schools, Aba
• Susu College, Nkpor
• Nnamdi Azikiwe University Secondary School, Awka
• Deeper Life High School, Onitsha

According to the board, these schools were found guilty of “mass registration” of candidates, a serious breach of JAMB’s operational standards.

JAMB reiterated that all UTME registrations must be conducted individually at accredited Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres to ensure accuracy and data integrity.

“Any candidate found to have registered through such illegal arrangements will be barred from participating in the 2026 UTME,” the board warned.

Warning Against Unauthorised Programme Changes

In another statement, JAMB cautioned candidates against responding to unofficial requests or invitations from institutions asking them to change their programmes through internal school portals.

Dr. Benjamin disclosed that some universities were manipulating the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) by persuading high-ranking candidates to switch from competitive programmes to less-subscribed ones.

“This unethical practice is meant to make room for certain preferred candidates to rise in the admission ranking order,” JAMB said. “All admission processes must be conducted through the official CAPS platform, which guarantees transparency, accountability, and fairness.”

The board warned that any programme change made through unauthorised channels would be considered voluntary and that JAMB would not be liable for the consequences.

Preliminary investigations have already identified two universities—one in the South-West and another in Abuja—as being involved in the malpractice. Regulatory actions are currently underway to address the situation.

JAMB advised all candidates to remain vigilant and conduct all admission-related activities exclusively through the CAPS portal to protect their interests.

Strengthening Accountability in Nigeria’s Education System

These recent measures by JAMB and NYSC highlight renewed efforts to strengthen accountability, eliminate fraud, and maintain the integrity of Nigeria’s education and youth service systems.

By tightening data verification processes, prosecuting offenders, and enforcing transparency in admissions, both institutions aim to restore public confidence and ensure that only qualified graduates are mobilised for national service.