JAMB uncovers 15,000 forged admission letters linked to NYSC mobilisation fraud as ICPC arrests university officials and JAMB staff for massive forgery.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has uncovered a major fraud involving forged admission letters used by thousands of fake graduates to qualify for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
JAMB Registrar, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, revealed that about 15,000 forged admission letters were discovered, prompting criminal investigations and multiple arrests by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Speaking at the NYSC Batch C Pre-Mobilisation Workshop in Abuja, Oloyede disclosed that the board had begun prosecuting those responsible for the forgeries, including 17 deputy vice-chancellors, several deputy registrars, and four JAMB officials.
He condemned the growing rate of document falsification in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions, stressing that the board would continue to ensure transparency through its digital verification system.
“We were shocked to discover that over 15,000 candidates presented forged admission letters. Some senior university officials and JAMB staff are now facing prosecution by the ICPC. This level of fraud is unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” Oloyede declared.
He urged all stakeholders to adhere strictly to admission rules, warning that many of the problems faced by higher institutions stem from self-inflicted irregularities.
The Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier-General Olakunle Nafiu, called for stronger vigilance against fake credentials and identity theft among potential corps members.
He warned that such actions threaten the credibility of the NYSC mobilisation system, which remains central to youth development and national unity.
“Mobilisation of eligible graduates for national service is a core aspect of our mission. This process must not be corrupted by fraud or manipulation,” he said.
Nafiu noted that the NYSC has built a trusted digital database over the past decade, ensuring accurate verification of graduates’ records.
He reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to maintaining integrity and credibility in every mobilisation cycle.
The NYSC’s Director of Corps Mobilisation, Mrs. Rachel Idaewor, stressed that data integrity is essential for a transparent mobilisation process.
She observed that while the NYSC has made major strides through digital innovation, fraudulent data entries by unqualified persons continue to pose a serious challenge.
“The integrity of our data determines the success of our mobilisation efforts. The fraudulent uploading of fake credentials undermines trust in our system,” she said.
She called on participants at the workshop to collaborate and devise strategies to block all loopholes that allow falsification of academic records.
Meanwhile, JAMB announced an extension of the 2025 admission deadline for public universities from October 31 to November 17.
The decision followed appeals from the Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (AVCNU), which cited disruptions caused by court orders and accreditation delays.
JAMB’s spokesperson, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, explained that the extension ensures fairness for all institutions affected by these unforeseen challenges. He clarified that this is the final adjustment, and universities must conclude all admissions within the new timeline.
The board further noted that the National Universities Commission (NUC) recently accredited 229 new academic programmes across 37 universities, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to expand educational access.
“This extension ensures that no candidate or institution is unfairly disadvantaged,” Benjamin said. “All admissions must be finalised before November 17.”
In another move to uphold integrity, JAMB announced that it has sanctioned six secondary schools for violating registration procedures during the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The schools were accused of conducting mass registrations, an act prohibited by the board’s regulations.
The indicted schools include:
Federal Government Girls College, Onitsha
St. Maria Goretti Girls Secondary School, Nkwerre-Orlu
Finek Group of Schools, Aba
Susu College, Nkpor
Nnamdi Azikiwe University Secondary School, Awka
Deeper Life High School, Onitsha
JAMB warned that candidates from these schools may be barred from the 2026 UTME, reiterating that all registrations must be done individually at accredited CBT centres.
JAMB also cautioned universities against conducting unauthorised admissions outside its Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS).
The board revealed that a university in the South-West and another in Abuja were caught manipulating admission lists to favour certain candidates.
“Any admission activity outside CAPS is unauthorised, unethical, and harmful to candidates,” JAMB stated.
The board reaffirmed that CAPS remains the only legitimate platform for admissions in Nigeria and that any form of manipulation will attract sanctions. It urged candidates to reject any offers made through unofficial channels.
The exposure of forged admission letters has sparked a renewed call for integrity in Nigeria’s education sector.
The crackdown demonstrates JAMB’s determination to eliminate corruption, restore confidence in admissions, and safeguard the NYSC mobilisation process from infiltration by unqualified individuals.
As prosecutions continue, both JAMB and NYSC have pledged to strengthen digital verification systems and enhance collaboration with the ICPC to curb academic fraud.
The agencies believe these efforts will protect the credibility of Nigeria’s education system and ensure that only genuine graduates serve the nation.
Ultimately, the scandal involving forged admission letters underscores the urgent need for transparency, ethical discipline, and digital accountability across institutions.
The renewed crackdown is a significant step toward rebuilding trust in Nigeria’s academic and national service frameworks.
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