The Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB) has revealed the shocking discovery of 3,000 individuals falsely posing as graduates without ever attending a university. This revelation was made by JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, during a meeting with the leadership of the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State Universities. The details were published in the board’s bulletin.
Prof. Oloyede expressed deep concern over the pervasive issue of illegal admissions carried out by some institutions, describing it as a significant embarrassment and disservice to the nation. He pointed out that these fraudulent activities have allowed individuals to falsely claim graduate status without any legitimate academic experience. “Some ‘graduates’ had never entered the four walls of a university owing to the endemic corruption in the system, but the board had documented over 3,000 of such cases,” the bulletin stated.
The issue of illegal admissions has long been a priority for JAMB. In December 2023, the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education demanded that JAMB present a list of tertiary institutions involved in irregular and illegal admissions. This move aimed to identify and address the institutions contributing to the problem.
The examination body had earlier warned candidates to avoid accepting admissions from institutions that do not adhere to proper academic procedures. In a statement titled “Cessation of illegal/irregular admission,” JAMB reiterated that all applications for admissions to first degree, national diploma, national innovation diploma, and the Nigeria certificate in education must be processed exclusively through JAMB. This applies to all forms of study, including full-time, distance learning, part-time, outreach, and sandwich programs.
Prof. Oloyede stressed the importance of adhering to these regulations to maintain the integrity of the Nigerian education system. He highlighted the need for strict enforcement of admission guidelines and urged institutions to comply with the established protocols to prevent further occurrences of such fraudulent activities. He noted that the board is committed to ensuring that only qualified candidates are admitted into tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
The discovery of these 3,000 fake graduates underscores the urgent need for reforms within the Nigerian education system. It raises questions about the quality and authenticity of degrees awarded by some institutions and the broader implications for the country’s workforce. Prof. Oloyede called on all stakeholders in the education sector to work together to eliminate corruption and uphold the standards of higher education in Nigeria.
JAMB’s ongoing efforts to combat illegal admissions are crucial in restoring public confidence in the education system. The board’s commitment to transparency and accountability is a step in the right direction, but it requires the cooperation of all educational institutions and regulatory bodies to be fully effective.
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