Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has advised qualified candidates to resist some institutions that are using their internal portals to persuade or pressure, particularly those ranked highly on the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) to change from their preferred programmes to less-subscribed ones.

JAMB said this unethical practice is designed to create room for the institutions’ preferred candidates to move up in the admission ranking order, saying it was a clear manipulation of the merit-based process established to ensure transparency and fairness.

The board, however, reminded candidates and institutions that all admission processes in Nigeria were being 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,” it said.

Also, the Board warned 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, saying that in such instances, JAMB will not be held responsible for the consequences of that decision.

Meanwhile, 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,” said JAMB.