The Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB) has found that 3,000 people in Nigeria falsely claimed to have graduated from universities without ever attending classes. This revelation, shared by Ishaq Oloyede, JAMB’s registrar and CEO, highlights widespread corruption in Nigeria’s higher education system.
In a recent bulletin from Abuja, Oloyede explained how these individuals managed to deceive the system, pointing to serious issues with how credentials are verified. These cases, carefully documented by JAMB, show how some people obtained degrees without fulfilling the necessary academic requirements.
Alongside exposing fake graduates, JAMB also criticized the ongoing problem of illegal admissions by certain universities. These admissions, which don’t follow proper procedures, undermine the credibility of Nigeria’s education system and harm the reputation of legitimate institutions.
During discussions with university leaders, Oloyede emphasized the negative impact of these practices on Nigeria’s education standards. He stressed the importance of taking strong actions to prevent such misconduct and uphold the integrity of academic qualifications.
This issue has drawn attention from government officials as well. In December 2023, the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education instructed JAMB to identify universities involved in irregular admissions. This legislative move aims to address systemic flaws and restore trust in Nigeria’s education sector.
To prevent further problems, JAMB urged students to only accept admissions from institutions accredited by the board. They emphasized that all applications for degrees or diplomas, whether full-time or part-time, must follow JAMB’s guidelines to ensure fairness and transparency.
As Nigeria strives to improve its education system, tackling issues like fake graduations and illegal admissions remains crucial for maintaining trust and credibility in higher education.
