The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has issued a stern warning that any admission into tertiary institutions conducted outside its Central Admissions Processing System is invalid and will not be recognised, a declaration aimed at curbing the growing practice of irregular admissions that have left thousands of graduates unable to participate in the National Youth Service Corps.

Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, the JAMB Registrar, delivered the warning while meeting with the leadership of the National Association of Polytechnic Students, led by Comrade Eshofune Paul Oghayan, to address complaints from Higher National Diploma graduates facing NYSC mobilisation challenges.

The meeting was detailed in a bulletin released by JAMB on Monday and signed by its Public Communication Advisor, Fabian Benjamin.

Prof. Oloyede explained that JAMB conducts admissions exclusively through CAPS, an automated platform that streamlines the admissions process, ensures transparency, prevents multiple admissions and empowers candidates with accurate information about available institutions and programmes.

"CAPS automates the admissions process into tertiary institutions, addresses challenges associated with the manual approach, and empowers candidates with information on available institutions and programmes," he stated.

The Registrar warned that institutions bypassing CAPS to admit students are engaging in illegal practices that ultimately harm students. He disclosed that some polytechnics admit more National Diploma students than permitted by the National Board for Technical Education, creating serious problems when these students later seek to pursue Higher National Diploma programmes or participate in NYSC.

Prof. Oloyede revealed that one polytechnic alone is responsible for over 42,000 irregular admission cases, a figure that highlights the extent of non compliance with established admission procedures.

He clarified that JAMB's mandate covers only admissions into first degree, National Diploma and Nigerian Certificate in Education programmes. Higher National Diploma admissions, he emphasised, are entirely the responsibility of individual polytechnics.

"The Board is not responsible for admitting HND students into polytechnics and, therefore, has no data to facilitate their entry into the NYSC scheme," Prof. Oloyede said, directing affected students to channel their complaints to the appropriate institutions and regulatory bodies.

Many HND graduates, particularly those who completed their National Diploma through part time or non regular pathways before enrolling in full time HND programmes, have encountered barriers to NYSC mobilisation. NYSC eligibility typically requires full time study for the highest qualification obtained, and irregularities in admission records often result in rejection or exemption certificates instead of mobilisation.

Prof. Oloyede criticised what he described as exploitative "Daily Part Time" HND programmes, noting that NYSC frequently rejects graduates of such unconventional arrangements.

"If institutions follow the proper process, there would be no problem. On our part, we will continue to render quality service beneficial to all stakeholders. Let's do things properly," he urged.

For students preparing to register for tertiary education, the message is clear: ensure your admission is processed through JAMB's Central Admissions Processing System to avoid complications that could jeopardise your future participation in the National Youth Service Corps and other national programmes.