Abuja, Nigeria – March 18, 2025 – The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has raised concerns over the failure of some higher institutions to properly verify the results used for admitting students, especially those seeking Direct Entry (DE) admission.
JAMB has warned that some universities, polytechnics, and colleges are accepting candidates based on fraudulent A’level results, posing a serious threat to the integrity of Nigeria’s education system.
In response, JAMB is calling on all institutions to take responsibility for verifying credentials, as relying solely on submitted documents without proper screening could lead to the admission of unqualified students.
Alarming Discovery: Bayero University Kano Exposes Massive Result Fraud
JAMB’s warning comes after a shocking report from Bayero University, Kano (BUK), which revealed that out of 148 results verified for Direct Entry admission, only six were genuine, while the rest were forged documents.
This massive fraud case triggered the establishment of the Nigeria Integrated Post-Secondary Education Data System (NIPEDS)—a system introduced by JAMB to help verify A’level qualifications, including certificates from foreign institutions.
JAMB noted that without strict verification, institutions could unknowingly admit candidates with fake qualifications, leading to:
- Unqualified individuals securing admission ahead of deserving candidates.
- A decline in academic standards due to unprepared students.
- The spread of examination malpractice and document forgery.
Recent Cases of Certificate Forgery Detected by JAMB
JAMB disclosed that through NIPEDS, it has received multiple confirmations from foreign institutions about fraudulent certificates submitted by Nigerian candidates.
Recently, thirteen additional A’level certificates were identified as fake, and some of the candidates had already been shortlisted for admission by their chosen institutions.
These individuals have now been handed over to law enforcement agencies for prosecution, while institutions that proposed their admission could also face sanctions for negligence.
JAMB made it clear: Any institution found admitting students based on fake certificates will be seen as accomplices in fraud and may face severe consequences.
Institutions Must Take Verification Seriously
While the NIPEDS system is a powerful tool for detecting fraudulent documents, JAMB stressed that it does not replace the responsibility of institutions to conduct their own thorough verification.
Some of the worst cases of forgery include:
- Candidates submitting fake IJMBE results from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria to gain admission into ABU itself.
- Forged A’level certificates from international institutions, falsely presented for Direct Entry admissions.
JAMB insists that every single A’level result submitted for admission must be carefully checked, whether it was issued by the same institution or an external body.
JAMB’s Final Warning to Institutions and Candidates
JAMB has urged all Nigerian institutions to improve their verification processes and reject any fraudulent applications. The Board emphasized that it will continue working with security agencies to track down individuals involved in certificate forgery.
For candidates, JAMB has issued a strong warning:
- Anyone caught submitting a fake certificate will not only lose admission but also face legal action.
- Institutions that fail to verify results properly will be held accountable for aiding and abetting academic fraud.
- Candidates must ensure that all credentials submitted for admission are 100% authentic to avoid being blacklisted.
JAMB reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring fairness and transparency in the admission process, stating that the integrity of Nigeria’s tertiary education system must not be compromised.
As the 2025 admission process continues, institutions are expected to comply strictly with JAMB’s verification guidelines to uphold academic credibility and prevent fraudulent admissions.