According to reports by Vanguard News, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued a firm warning to prospective tertiary institution students against accepting admission offers made outside its official Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS).
In a social media statement published on X on Monday, the board emphasized that any admission granted outside the established process will not be recognized as valid, cautioning candidates that accepting unauthorized offers could jeopardize their higher education records.
Risks to Academic Records and Verification
“An admission offered by an institution outside the approved JAMB admission process may not be recognised as valid,” the board stated. “Accepting such an offer could put your academic journey at risk and create complications with your admission records and related processes.”
JAMB issued the caution while promoting an episode of its educational content series, JAMB Explained, which details what constitutes illegal admission, the potential consequences for students, and steps candidates can take to safeguard their admissions.
“Your admission journey deserves the right foundation. Verify before you accept,” the board advised candidates.
The Role of CAPS and 2026 Guidelines
According to information available on JAMB’s official portal, the CAPS platform was designed to automate and streamline admissions into Nigerian tertiary institutions. The system enables prospective students to verify their admission status and either accept or reject provisional offers, while ensuring institutions process all admissions through an approved, transparent pipeline.
JAMB’s 2026 admission guidelines stipulate that all formal offers must be processed directly through the board and accessed via its e-Facility platform. “Any offer of admission from any tertiary institution without JAMB Admission Letter is illegal and is not recognized by the Board,” the guidelines specify.
The examination body reiterated that students who accept admission offers outside the automated CAPS system do so at their own peril, adding that the board will neither condone nor recognize such admissions.