JAMB Registrar Hails Tinubu’s Approval of 67 New Tertiary Institutions, Warns Against Illegal Admissions

The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the establishment of 67 new higher institutions across Nigeria, describing the move as a bold step towards expanding access to tertiary education for millions of Nigerian youths.

Speaking during an interactive session held in Abuja with principal officers of newly established, upgraded, and approved institutions, Oloyede highlighted the importance of maintaining transparency, credibility, and standardization in the country’s admission processes. The new additions include 22 universities, 33 polytechnics and monotechnics, and 12 colleges of education, approved between late 2024 and 2025.

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Expanding Access to Tertiary Education in Nigeria

According to Oloyede, the approvals signal a strategic commitment by the Tinubu administration to improve access to quality higher education and address the rising demand for tertiary opportunities among Nigeria’s growing population.

“This is a commendable development. The approval of 67 new institutions shows that President Tinubu is deeply committed to expanding access to higher education across all zones of the country,” he stated.

However, while acknowledging the positive impact of these approvals, Oloyede reminded all institutional heads that the process of admitting students must adhere strictly to national standards.

CAPS and IBASS: The Only Channels for Admission

Prof. Oloyede reiterated that JAMB’s Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) remains the only valid platform through which student admissions can be processed. Introduced in 2017, CAPS was designed to ensure fairness, transparency, and integrity in Nigeria’s admission process. It eliminates manipulation, duplication, and unauthorized offers of admission.

“Institutional compliance is non-negotiable,” Oloyede said. “Any institution attempting to bypass CAPS risks having such admissions nullified. There will be no tolerance for backdoor admissions.”

He also highlighted the role of the Integrated Brochure and Syllabus System (IBASS), introduced in 2018, which aids in streamlining communication between JAMB and tertiary institutions and ensures clarity on admission requirements and programme eligibility.

Both platforms have been upgraded to include institutional email services, which Oloyede emphasized as the sole official communication channel between JAMB and institutions. He directed that every institution must designate officers to oversee their CAPS and IBASS access, with JAMB offering technical support to ensure smooth implementation.

Strict Approval Protocols for Programmes

Oloyede made it clear that only academic programmes approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), and the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) will be activated on JAMB platforms. He warned institutions not to attempt introducing unapproved courses or programmes, reiterating that all entries must meet regulatory standards.

“There will be no room for regularisation of illegal admissions. Every entry must pass through due process,” he warned sternly.

A live demonstration of CAPS and IBASS was also conducted at the session to guide institutions—especially the newly approved ones—on their operational procedures and obligations.

Stakeholders Commend JAMB’s Guidance and Clarity

The interactive session drew positive feedback from key stakeholders. Prof. William Qurix, Vice-Chancellor of the newly established Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, expressed appreciation for the clarity and guidance provided by JAMB.

“This engagement has cleared up many doubts, particularly for institutions like ours that were approved after most students had already registered for the UTME,” he said. “We now understand our roles better, and we appreciate the technical support promised by JAMB.”

Similarly, Dr. Uche Uba, Director of Colleges at the Ministry of Education, addressed the importance of compliance among newly upgraded institutions, especially those operating in a dual-mode system (offering both NCE and degree programmes).

She revealed that only seven out of 15 upgraded colleges had so far reported to the NUC for resource verification. “This is unacceptable,” Uba said. “You are now operating independently, and the NUC must verify your resources before you can admit students.”

On his part, Prof. Paulinus Okwelle, Executive Secretary of the NCCE, commended JAMB’s efforts in using technology to simplify and standardize the admission process from application to enrollment.

He encouraged all newly approved colleges of education to adhere strictly to stipulated procedures to preserve the credibility of Nigeria’s teacher education system.

Access, Compliance, and Accountability

As Nigeria welcomes a new wave of tertiary institutions, JAMB is taking proactive steps to ensure that this growth is accompanied by regulatory discipline, transparency, and a continued focus on quality. Prof. Oloyede’s message was clear: growth without compliance is unacceptable.

With CAPS and IBASS serving as the backbone of Nigeria’s admission system, institutions must align their operations with national expectations or risk being delisted.

The federal government’s expansion of tertiary education offers immense promise—but as Oloyede emphasized, that promise must be protected with integrity, order, and respect for due process.