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..warns candidates against illegal change of programme in institutions The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has extended the deadline given to Nigerian federal universities to conclude the admissions process for the 2025/2026 academic year. The Board equally warned candidates against any attempt to change their programme within institutions outside the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS), describing as an unethical practice that would not be condoned. Public Communication Advisor of JAMB, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, who announced this in a statement on Monday in Abuja, said the extension followed appeals by the Association of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (AVCNU) and the introduction of 229 new academic programmes by the National Universities Commission (NUC) on 29 October. “Admissions into those programmes are just being scheduled,” JAMB said. Earlier this year, stakeholders at the JAMB policy meeting, which featured the heads of all tertiary institutions in the country, had agreed to certain timelines for institutions to conclude admission processes. At the meeting held on 18 July, federal universities were asked to conclude admissions deadlines by 31 October, and private universities were asked to conclude theirs by 30 November. All other institutions, including polytechnics and colleges of education, must complete their admission process by 31 December. The timeline was set following appeals by polytechnics and colleges of education, who said they only get candidates after the universities finish their admission processes. As a result, federal universities are expected to have concluded their admissions. However, JAMB said the new deadline for federal and state universities is now Monday, 17 November. The deadline for other institutions remains unchanged. “AVCNU has specially appealed for extension due to the disruption caused by a number of factors, including a court order directing that the status quo should remain on the 2025/26 admission list, which was only clearly lifted by the same court on 28 October,” JAMB said. “While expressing appreciation to all institutions for their tireless efforts and cooperation in meeting the initial target date, the board wishes to emphasise that this new deadline is final and must be strictly adhered to.” Meanwhile, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has said that its attention has been drawn to reports that some institutions are using their internal portals to persuade or pressure qualified candidates, particularly those ranked highly on the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS), to change from their preferred programmes to less-subscribed ones. “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. “The Board wishes to remind all candidates and institutions that all admission processes in Nigeria are conducted exclusively through CAPS, the platform created to ensure accountability, transparency, and equal opportunity in admission placements. Any change of programme or admission activity carried out outside the JAMB CAPS is unauthorized, unethical, and ultimately detrimental to the affected candidates,” JAMB spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, stated in a statement. He noted that for institutions to engage in such backdoor maneuvers clearly indicated an intent to deceive and shortchange candidates, and such acts will not be condoned by the Board. Benjamin has strongly advised the candidates to disregard any invitation or request to change programmes made through institutional portals or unofficial channels. “Furthermore, the Board warns that any change of programme eventually effected on CAPS after a candidate has been influenced or persuaded by an institution through its own portal will be deemed voluntary on the part of the candidate. In such instances, JAMB will not be held responsible for the consequences of that decision. “Preliminary investigations have revealed that a university in the South-West and another in Abuja have been involved in this practice. The Board has initiated appropriate regulatory steps to address these unethical acts and to ensure that candidates’ interests are fully protected. “Candidates are therefore urged to remain vigilant and conduct all admission-related activities strictly through the 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,” he stated. READ MORE FROM: NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
