JAMB CAPS and new tertiary institutions took the spotlight as JAMB Registrar Prof. Is-haq Oloyede praised President Bola Tinubu for approving 67 new higher institutions between late 2024 and 2025. These include 22 universities, 33 polytechnics and monotechnics, and 12 colleges of education across Nigeria.
Oloyede described the move as a bold step toward expanding access to tertiary education. He spoke on Monday in Abuja during an interactive session with principal officers of the newly established and upgraded institutions.
However, he warned institutions to avoid illegal admissions. He emphasized that all admissions must go through the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS).
“CAPS ensures transparency, fairness, and integrity. Institutions that bypass it risk having their admissions nullified,” Oloyede said.
He instructed over 80 recently approved institutions to strictly follow JAMB’s standard admission procedures. These include all newly licensed universities, polytechnics, monotechnics, and colleges of education.
Oloyede highlighted the benefits of CAPS, launched in 2017, and the Integrated Brochure and Syllabus System (IBASS), introduced in 2018. These tools automate the admission process and improve institutional communication. JAMB now requires all communication to go through official institutional email accounts.
He clarified that only academic programmes approved by the NUC, NBTE, and NCCE will be active on JAMB’s platforms.
“Compliance is non-negotiable,” he added. “Shortcuts won’t be tolerated. Institutions must appoint designated officers to manage their CAPS and IBASS access. JAMB will offer technical support, but every process must follow due standards.”
The session included a live demo of CAPS and IBASS to help institutions operate the platforms correctly.
Prof. William Qurix, Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, welcomed the engagement. He said the session cleared up challenges faced by new institutions, especially those approved after UTME registration had already begun.
“JAMB has assured us of timely support through CAPS and IBASS. This session will make a significant impact,” he said.
Dr. Uche Uba, Director of Colleges at the Ministry of Education, advised newly upgraded colleges running dual-mode systems to comply with NUC requirements.
“Only 7 of the 15 upgraded institutions have reported to the NUC. This is unacceptable,” she noted. “Resource verification is essential since these institutions now operate independently.”
Prof. Paulinus Okwelle, Executive Secretary of the NCCE, praised JAMB’s use of technology in streamlining admissions. He encouraged colleges offering both degree and NCE programmes to follow set procedures to maintain credibility and competitiveness.
