The Federal Government has issued a warning to higher institutions in Nigeria to submit lists of admitted students immediately after matriculation or face severe consequences.
This directive, as stated in a memo by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), requires institutions to submit their matriculation lists to the Federal Ministry of Education within three months after matriculation ceremonies through JAMB’s dedicated channel.
The initiative is part of the government’s efforts to combat fake degree racketeering in the country, following the establishment of an Inter-Ministerial Investigative Committee on Degree Certificate Milling. The committee’s recommendations, approved by the Minister of Education, aim to prevent certificate racketeering and ensure transparency in the admission process.
JAMB’s Public Communications Advisor, Fabian Benjamin, emphasized that institutions must disclose all candidates admitted outside the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) before the August 31st, 2024, deadline, and failure to comply will result in severe consequences. Candidates not disclosed by institutions will not be entertained.
This development follows a recent investigation into certificate racketeering involving foreign institutions, particularly in the Benin Republic. The Federal Government has taken steps to address the issue, including banning the accreditation and evaluation of degrees from Benin Republic and Togo.
The Minister of Education has vowed to eliminate holders of fake degrees from the Nigerian educational system, and JAMB has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the integrity of the admission process. Institutions are urged to carefully review the directive and ensure full compliance to avoid any negative consequences.