Tertiary institutions have been strongly cautioned by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) against handing out admission letters directly to candidates, emphasizing that this authority belongs exclusively to the Board. Professor Segun Aina, the JAMB Registrar, made this announcement on Thursday, October 15, 2026, while welcoming a visiting delegation from Veritas University, Bwari.
New JAMB Registrar, Professor Segun Aina
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has warned universities and other tertiary institutions against issuing admission letters to candidates, insisting that the responsibility rests solely with the Board.
JAMB Registrar, Professor Segun Aina, stated this on Thursday, October 15, 2026, when he received a delegation from Veritas University, Bwari, Abuja, during a courtesy visit to his office.
According to Aina, JAMB is the only body legally empowered to issue official admission letters to candidates seeking entry into tertiary institutions, including universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.
He expressed concern that candidates often assume admission offers are genuine when they receive documents purportedly issued by institutions, even when the process does not comply with established admission procedures.
The registrar, therefore, urged institutions involved in the practice to desist and ensure that candidates obtain the appropriate admission documents from the Board.
Aina also recalled that the Federal Ministry of Education had directed all tertiary institutions to process admissions through the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS).
He maintained that admissions conducted outside the approved platform were illegal and invalid.
According to him, no institution is permitted to substitute its own admission letter for the official document issued by JAMB after a candidate has accepted an offer of admission on CAPS.
Aina added that only admissions processed through the platform would be recognised for purposes including mobilisation for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
What You Should Know
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has reminded all tertiary institutions in Nigeria that they lack the legal authority to independently issue admission letters to prospective students. According to the registrar, all admissions must strictly go through the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS), and any alternative letters given outside this platform are considered illegal and invalid for processes like the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
- Positive Impact: Protects candidates from falling victim to fraudulent or unapproved admissions and ensures a transparent, centralized system.
- Potential Concerns: Candidates who accept unauthorized letters from schools may face severe validation issues, blocking them from graduation or mobilization for national service.
