Nigerian Graduates Denied NYSC After JAMB Flags Admission As Fake

Thousands of Nigerian graduates have been denied NYSC mobilisation after JAMB flagged their admissions as fake in April 2024. Here’s everything you need to know, affected schools, causes, and possible solutions.

For thousands of Nigerian graduates eagerly anticipating their National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) mobilisation in 2024, a shocking setback has thrown their future plans into uncertainty. In April 2024, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) flagged the admissions of several graduates across Nigerian universities as fake, locking their academic records just days before Batch B Stream 1 mobilisation was scheduled to begin.

This development has left many stranded, frustrated, and confused, as they are unable to proceed with NYSC, pursue further studies, or access critical academic records. In this article, we’ll break down what happened, why it happened, the universities affected, reactions from JAMB, and what affected graduates can do next.

What Really Happened?

In April 2024, approximately 14,000 Nigerian graduates had their records suddenly locked on the JAMB Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS). This occurred just one week before the mobilisation for NYSC Batch B Stream 1. These individuals, who had previously accepted their offers, completed their programmes, and appeared on the JAMB matriculation list, suddenly discovered that their portals now displayed “fake admission” status.

This shocking change has put their NYSC mobilisation on hold, leaving them unable to proceed with the mandatory national service.

List of Affected Institutions

Some of the universities with a high number of affected students include:

• Ambrose Alli University
• Imo State University
• Ahmadu Bello University
• University of Calabar
• University of Benin
• Federal University of Technology, Akure
• Lagos State University
• Kwara State University
• Edo State University, Iyamho

How the Problem Started

Many of the affected graduates reported that while they wrote the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) through JAMB, their admissions were offered directly by their schools — bypassing JAMB’s official process. As a result, their names weren’t properly processed or validated by JAMB at the time.

Some students revealed that in their final year, a directive was issued for them to regularise their admission through JAMB, which involved visiting state offices. However, due to poor coordination between JAMB and their institutions, many regularisations were either rejected or left unprocessed.

Though some candidates successfully paid for regularisation and received admission confirmation through JAMB, the sudden removal of their status just before NYSC came as a complete shock.

Reactions from Affected Graduates

The affected graduates expressed deep frustration and anger. Some reported that:

• They were sent back and forth between JAMB offices and their institutions.
• JAMB officials told them their schools had failed to meet certain requirements.
• Even when they visited JAMB headquarters in Abuja, they were informed that cybercriminals had allegedly hacked the JAMB database — leading to these admissions being flagged.

One affected graduate lamented:

“We are victims and deserve to be treated as such. We can’t go for NYSC, further our education, or move on with our lives. This has made us a burden to our families.”

JAMB’s Official Response

Speaking to the press, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, JAMB’s spokesperson, clarified that the issue arose from illegal admissions conducted by some institutions. He explained that:

• By law, all admissions must go through JAMB CAPS, where candidates are offered admission officially, and then given a valid JAMB admission letter.
• If students gain admission outside this process — even if they eventually appear on the matriculation list — it’s considered illegal by JAMB.
• JAMB had previously condoned such irregularities through a regularisation process, but that window has now been closed.

He further explained that over 250,000 cases of illegal admissions had occurred in previous years, which JAMB worked to resolve by standardising the admission process.

Why JAMB Is Taking a Tougher Stance

Dr. Benjamin made it clear that this move was part of an effort to uphold academic integrity in Nigeria. He stated:

“We cannot continue to allow students who do not meet the basic requirements to enter the classrooms. Regularisation is not an automatic process. We are firm about the rules and standards.”

JAMB insists that:

• Institutions must follow proper admission procedures.
• Students must meet minimum entry requirements.
• Regularisation without meeting academic standards will no longer be entertained.

What Are Affected Graduates Expected to Do Now?

As of now, many affected students have been advised to:

• Visit the nearest JAMB office for clarification and possible resolution.
• Follow up with their schools to confirm whether their names have been properly uploaded and validated.
• Stay updated through JAMB CAPS and official announcements.

Important:
JAMB has indicated that future NYSC mobilisation will only recognise candidates who:

• Have valid JAMB admission letters.
• Appear on the JAMB matriculation list.
• Have no irregularities with their admission status.

Possible Solutions and Next Steps

Though the situation remains uncertain, these are possible ways forward:

1. Special Regularisation Window
   JAMB and the Ministry of Education could consider re-opening a special regularisation window for genuinely affected students, especially those who already graduated.
2. Institutional Collaboration
   Universities could work directly with JAMB to verify the affected students’ records and upload them officially for NYSC mobilisation.
3. Legal Action or Class Action Suits
   Affected graduates could consider pursuing a legal remedy or collective class action to compel relevant authorities to address the issue.
4. Formal Petitions
   Graduates can submit formal petitions through student bodies, university alumni associations, and educational advocacy groups to the National Assembly, Ministry of Education, and NYSC.

Impact on NYSC Mobilisation

The most immediate effect is that these graduates cannot:

• Register for the NYSC Batch B or subsequent batches.
• Print call-up letters.
• Get posted to any NYSC orientation camp.

In addition, many are also unable to:

• Further their academic pursuits.
• Obtain transcripts or certificates from their schools.
• Process international study or job applications.

Implications for Further Studies and Career Plans

For many of the affected graduates, this issue goes beyond missing out on NYSC. It directly affects their ability to:

• Apply for scholarships, postgraduate studies, or professional certifications, since NYSC discharge or exemption certificates are often mandatory.
• Secure jobs in both the public and private sectors, as NYSC certification is a key requirement in Nigeria.
• Process transcripts or certificates — because universities typically withhold documents from students with pending NYSC matters or unregularised admissions.
• Apply for international study, visa, or job opportunities, as their academic records remain incomplete or invalid without JAMB clearance.

This means that without a resolution, many graduates may face years of stagnation in their careers, creating a ripple effect on their economic, social, and personal development.

How NYSC Verifies Eligibility and Admission Status

Many prospective corps members often wonder how NYSC confirms who is eligible for mobilisation. Here’s how it works:

• Before every NYSC batch mobilisation, the NYSC portal cross-checks submitted lists from institutions against the JAMB matriculation list and CAPS records.
• Only those with valid admissions and NYSC-approved records are cleared for call-up numbers.
• Any discrepancy between the institution’s list and JAMB’s verified database results in an automatic disqualification — which is why those whose JAMB status is now “fake admission” were blocked.

This step ensures that only qualified and properly admitted Nigerian graduates are mobilised for national service.

Steps Affected Graduates Can Take While Awaiting Resolution

If you’re one of the affected graduates, while this situation is frustrating, there are several practical steps you can take in the meantime:

1. Gather All Relevant Documents
   • JAMB registration slip
   • Admission letters (both school and JAMB, if available)
   • Payment receipts for regularisation
   • Letters or memos from your institution regarding admission
   • Previous NYSC call-up letters (if any)
2. Follow Up Consistently with Both JAMB and Your Institution
   Don’t rely on one channel. Visit the state or headquarters JAMB offices regularly, while also pushing your school’s admission office or student affairs unit.
3. Join Official Graduate Support Groups
   Many affected students have formed WhatsApp or Telegram groups to stay updated and take collective action.
4. Reach Out to Advocacy Groups and Educational NGOs
   Organisations like SERAP, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), and student advocacy groups can amplify your case and pressure the authorities.
5. Document Everything
   Keep records of every visit, conversation, and correspondence with JAMB, NYSC, and your institution — in case you need to escalate legally.
6. Stay Informed on JAMB and NYSC Announcements
   Monitor official updates from JAMB (jamb.gov.ng) and NYSC (nysc.gov.ng) so you don’t miss any new regularisation opportunities or directives.

Conclusion

The mass disqualification of thousands of Nigerian graduates from the 2024 NYSC mobilisation is a deeply concerning issue. While JAMB is rightfully trying to enforce academic standards, genuine graduates caught in the crossfire deserve empathy and a fair chance at rectifying their situation.

It’s clear that the current academic admission system in Nigeria still faces many challenges — from backdoor admissions to administrative inefficiencies. Until this is resolved, the careers and futures of thousands of young Nigerians hang in the balance.

If you’re an affected graduate, ensure you stay calm, keep your records intact, and actively follow up with both your institution and JAMB.

FAQs

1. Why did JAMB flag my admission as fake?

JAMB flagged many admissions because they were granted by institutions without passing through the official JAMB CAPS process. Only JAMB-approved admissions with official admission letters are considered valid.

2. Can I still do NYSC if my admission was flagged?

As it stands, you cannot proceed with NYSC mobilisation unless your admission status is regularised and validated by JAMB.

3. How do I check my JAMB admission status?

Visit the JAMB CAPS portal via the JAMB e-Facility, log in, and check your Admission Status under the dashboard.

4. What is JAMB regularisation?

JAMB regularisation is the process of validating admissions that were not properly processed through JAMB. It was previously used to correct irregular admissions, but JAMB has now closed this option.

5. Which universities were most affected?

Universities like Ambrose Alli University, Imo State University, ABU Zaria, University of Calabar, UNIBEN, FUTA, LASU, and Kwara State University had large numbers of affected graduates.