Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has said the agency uncovered 15,000 candidates who forged their admission letters to be eligible for the national service organised by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

The registrar stated that the board has started the prosecution of the perpetrators for alleged forgery.

Oloyede spoke yesterday during this year’s Batch C pre-mobilisation workshop organised by NYSC in Abuja.

The registrar said 17 deputy vice chancellors (DVC), deputy Registrars, including four JAMB’s workers, are in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other related Offences Commission (ICPC) over the alleged forgery.

He stated that: “One day, I ran to your predecessor (referring to DG of the NYSC) because I couldn’t believe that 15,000 candidates forged admission letters.

“As I speak with you, some deputy registrars are being tried by the ICPC. Some deputy vice – chancellors, not less than 17, including four JAMB staff members, are in prison custody. We took them to the ICPC. Those who want to go to jail should do so knowingly, not by accident.

“I want to advice you: follow the rules and you will have less problems. I suggest you follow the right path and you will see that most of the problems that are self-created by you will be eliminated.”

The NYSC’s Director-General, Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, advised stakeholders not to allow the mobilisation process to suffer disrepute.

The DG disclosed that, the organisation continued to experience cases of forged credentials, multiple registrations, and identity theft by unqualified individuals attempting to infiltrate its system.

According to him, this is a direct threat to the credibility of the mobilisation process of the NYSC.

He added that: “We all know that mobilising eligible Nigerian graduates for national service remains central to the NYSC’s mandate. As a matter of fact, mobilisation is the gateway to the service year and a vital link in preparing young Nigerian graduates for national integration and development. This key aspect of our operations can, therefore, not be allowed to suffer disrepute”

“Over the years, the NYSC has earned public confidence for its transparent mobilisation process. We were able to do this in the analogue era and managed to transition that confidence to the digital era. For about 11 years now, we have continued to build digital databank, and our mobilisation process is today almost fully digitised.”

NYSC’s Director of Corps Mobilisation, Rachel Idaewor, outlined that the scheme had recorded remarkable progress in its mobilisation efforts in recent years, largely due to innovative approaches and enhanced cooperation.

“Nevertheless, significant challenges remain, particularly concerning data integrity. The fraudulent uploading of unqualified persons continues to affect the credibility of our mobilisation process negatively,” she disclosed.

She advised participants at the workshop to address contemporary issues affecting the mobilisation process.

Idaewor outlined that: “The integrity of our data is not just a technical challenge; it has far-reaching implications for the personal and professional futures of our youth. Accurate, reliable data forms the backbone of any successful operational strategy, enabling us to effectively mobilise our youth for national service.”

Meanwhile, the JAMB has extended this year’s admission deadline for public universities from October 31 to November 17.

The extension, announced by JAMB in its weekly bulletin, was in response to emerging circumstances affecting the ongoing admissions process in several institutions.

According to the bulletin shared by JAMB’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, the decision was reached after appeals from university administrators and new accreditation developments that required additional time for implementation.

The board explained that there would be no further extension of the new date.

The statement said: “Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (AVCNU) has specially appealed for an extension due to the disruption caused by a number of factors, including a court order directing that the status quo should remain on the 2025/2026 admission list, which was only lifted by the same court on October 28, 2025.”

The board recalled that the 2025 Policy Meeting on Admissions, held on July 18 and chaired by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, had originally set October 31 as the deadline for all public to conclude admissions for the 2025/2026 academic session.

“In a bid to expand access in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the NUC on October 29, released a list of 229 programmes recently accredited for 37 universities. Admission into those programmes is just being scheduled,” the statement explained.

The board hailed the diligence and cooperation of public universities in meeting the earlier target, stressing that the extension was to ensure fairness and inclusivity across institutions.

“This extension is to ensure that no institution or candidate is unfairly disadvantaged. It is the final adjustment, and all institutions must conclude their processes within the new timeframe,” JAMB outlined.

However, JAMB disclosed that it would report six secondary schools to the Federal Ministry of Education for their involvement in irregular registration activities during the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) registration exercise.

The affected 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; and Deeper Life High School, Onitsha.

The board said the schools were involved in “mass registration” of candidates, an act it described as a serious breach of its operational rules.

It reiterated that UTME registration must be done individually at accredited Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres to ensure data integrity. JAMB warned that candidates from schools found guilty of such practices would be barred from the 2026 UTME

“Candidates are, therefore, strongly advised to ensure that they register individually and personally at any of the board’s accredited Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres nationwide.

“This is to guarantee the integrity of their data and to ensure that their personal information is accurately captured in the board’s database.

“The board remains unwavering in its commitment to maintaining the credibility, transparency, and integrity of its examination processes and will continue to take decisive action against any institution or individual found undermining these standards,” JAMB explained.

Nevertheless, JAMB has advised candidates seeking admission to disregard any invitation or request to change programmes made through institutional portals or unofficial channels.

The board gave the advice in a statement by its Public Communication Advisor, Fabian Benjamin yesterday in Abuja.

JAMB alleged that some institutions were using their internal portals to persuade or pressure qualified candidates, particularly those ranked highly on the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS), to change from their preferred programmes to less-subscribed ones.

“This unethical practice is designed to create room for the institutions’ preferred candidates to move up in the admission ranking order, a clear manipulation of the merit-based process established to ensure transparency and fairness,” the statement said.

It added: “The board wishes to remind all candidates and institutions that all admission processes in Nigeria are conducted exclusively through CAPS, the platform created to ensure accountability, transparency, and equal opportunity in admission placements. Any change of programme or admission activity carried out outside the JAMB CAPS is unauthorised, unethical, and ultimately detrimental to the affected candidates.

“For institutions to engage in such backdoor maneuvers clearly indicates an intent to deceive and shortchange candidates, and such acts will not be condoned by the board.

“Consequently, candidates are strongly advised to disregard any invitation or request to change programmes made through institutional portals or unofficial channels.

“Furthermore, the Board warns that any change of programme eventually effected on CAPS after a candidate has been influenced or persuaded by an institution through its own portal will be deemed voluntary on the part of the candidate. In such instances, JAMB will not be held responsible for the consequences of that decision.

“Preliminary investigations have revealed that a university in the South-West and another in Abuja have been involved in this practice. The Board has initiated appropriate regulatory steps to address these unethical acts and to ensure that candidates’ interests are fully protected.

“Candidates are therefore urged to remain vigilant and conduct all admission-related activities strictly through the JAMB CAPS portal. The Board reaffirms its unwavering commitment to ensuring that all qualified candidates are treated with fairness, equity, and transparency in the 2025 admission exercise and beyond.”