The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has smashed a sprawling syndicate behind the issuance of fake admission letters, flagging no fewer than 17,417 candidates and arresting five suspected masterminds in what may be the most audacious admission fraud uncovered in recent Nigerian history.
The board disclosed this in a statement issued by its Public Communication Adviser, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, noting that the crackdown followed a joint investigation launched in April 2024 alongside the Nigeria Police Force.
The syndicate reportedly exploited desperate admission seekers by issuing forged JAMB admission letters in exchange for hefty payments.
According to JAMB, the suspects—now facing trial in a case titled Inspector General of Police vs Effa Leonard & Others at the Federal High Court in Abuja—confessed to fabricating and distributing the fake letters. The fraud, JAMB noted, has affected candidates and institutions across the country.
Following the confession, the board flagged 17,417 candidates suspected to have benefited from the illegal scheme. Of that number, 6,903 candidates have so far been cleared after resolving what the board described as “minor issues.” Meanwhile, a staggering 10,514 candidates remain under investigation.
Providing a breakdown of the flagged candidates, JAMB revealed that 5,669 were found to have wilfully purchased forged admission letters from the criminal network.
The board added that another 4,832 had legitimate admissions but were not captured in JAMB’s database due to administrative lapses between 2017 and 2020.
According to JAMB, these cases are currently being regularised under a ministerial waiver granted during that period.
“Thirteen others were flagged for minor infractions—mostly related to the transition year of 2017 when JAMB introduced the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS).
“They have now been included among those cleared and have been advised to reprint updated admission letters.”
JAMB said 1,532 candidates who claimed ignorance of the fraudulent process have been pardoned, following verification by their respective institutions and successful submission of required documentation.
Still, the board maintained that over 3,300 candidates remain under active investigation for gaining university admissions through fraudulent means.
Among the institutions affected by the scandal are prominent universities and polytechnics including Bayero University Kano, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology Akure, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ekiti State University, Yaba College of Technology, Osun State Polytechnic, Ben Idahosa University, Obong University, Ramat Polytechnic, and the University of Ilorin.
Reaffirming its zero-tolerance policy toward admission malpractice, JAMB warned that anyone—be it student, parent, guardian, or school official—found complicit in admission fraud will be prosecuted under the Examination Malpractices Act.
“The Board’s screening process is ongoing, and any candidate found to have patronised certificate racketeers or manipulated the system in any way will face the full weight of the law,” Dr. Benjamin stated.
He stressed that the board remains committed to sanitising the admission process and urged all stakeholders to adhere strictly to the approved guidelines to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
'
'
'
'Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
