FG warns universities, polytechnics against illegal admissions outside CAPS

The Federal Government has warned tertiary institutions against offering admissions outside the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS), declaring such admissions illegal and subject to sanctions.

Minister of Education, Maruf Alausa, gave the warning on Monday during the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions to Tertiary Institutions held in Abuja.

He said admissions conducted outside the approved CAPS platform would no longer be recognised by the government, stressing that the move was aimed at restoring credibility and transparency in Nigeria’s tertiary education system.

“Admissions conducted outside this framework are illegal and will not be recognised,” the minister stated.

Alausa said the government would no longer tolerate institutions operating parallel admission systems, noting that such practices had denied many qualified candidates fair opportunities.

“The era in which institutions operated parallel admission systems, often to the detriment of deserving candidates, must come to an end,” he said.

He warned that institutions found violating the admission guidelines would face strict regulatory action, including possible suspension of operating licences.

“Any institution found to have conducted admissions outside the CAPS will be held accountable, and appropriate sanctions shall be applied without hesitation,” he said.

According to him, both public and private institutions must comply fully with the established admission process to maintain order and accountability in the education sector.

The minister clarified that the enforcement measures were not intended to punish institutions but to strengthen confidence in the admission system.

“This is not a punitive measure; it is a necessary step towards restoring order and credibility in the system,” he added.

On admission age, Alausa announced that the Federal Government had retained 16 years as the minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions following consultations and policy reviews.

“While we recognise the existence of exceptionally gifted individuals, such cases must be treated within clearly defined and rigorously enforced guidelines,” he said.

The minister also commended JAMB for initiatives aimed at improving access for persons with disabilities, including waiver of application fees for candidates living with disabilities.

He further highlighted ongoing reforms in the education sector, including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, which provides interest-free loans to students to ease financial burdens.

According to him, the government is also pushing for greater transparency in tertiary institutions through the publication of enrolment figures and financial allocations.

Alausa stressed the importance of digitalisation in education, noting that computer-based testing and emerging technologies were being integrated into the system to improve efficiency.

He described the 2025 agreement reached with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) as a major breakthrough expected to improve staff welfare, funding, and stability in public universities.

The minister also warned against examination malpractice, saying stricter verification systems were being introduced to safeguard the integrity of academic certificates.

“The credibility of our certificates depends on the integrity of the processes through which they are earned,” he said.

He urged stakeholders to focus on implementation of policies rather than mere announcements, noting that the decisions taken at the policy meeting would affect millions of Nigerian students.

Alausa reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to building a tertiary education system that is merit-driven, transparent, inclusive, and globally competitive.