The Federal Government has declared that any admission carried out outside the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) is illegal, warning that tertiary institutions that violate approved procedures will face strict sanctions.
The Minister of Education, Maruf Alausa, issued the warning on Monday during the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions to Tertiary Institutions in Abuja, stating that all admissions must strictly pass through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) CAPS platform.
He emphasised that institutions operating parallel or unapproved admission processes would no longer have such admissions recognised by government authorities.
“Let me reiterate, without equivocation, that admissions conducted outside this framework are illegal and will not be recognised,” the minister said.
Alausa warned that institutions attempting to bypass the system risk serious consequences, adding that the era of irregular admission practices must come to an end.
“The era in which institutions operated parallel admission systems, often to the detriment of deserving candidates, must come to an end,” he said.
He further stressed that the Federal Government would not tolerate any breach of admission guidelines, noting that erring institutions would be held accountable.
“I have resisted many attempts at condoning illegality in the admissions process. I will not be a party to such actions,” he stated.
According to him, sanctions for violations could include regulatory action and, in severe cases, suspension of operating licences for affected institutions.
“Any institution found to have conducted admissions outside the CAPS will be held accountable, and appropriate sanctions shall be applied without hesitation,” he added.
Alausa explained that the policy was aimed at restoring credibility and order in the tertiary education system, not to punish institutions unnecessarily.
On admission age, the minister reaffirmed that 16 years remains the minimum entry age into tertiary institutions in Nigeria, following consultations and policy reviews.
He noted that while provisions exist for exceptionally gifted candidates, such cases must follow clearly defined and strictly enforced guidelines.
The minister also highlighted ongoing reforms in the education sector, including improved support for persons with disabilities and the introduction of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund to ease financial barriers for students.
He further urged tertiary institutions to embrace transparency by publishing key operational data, including enrolment figures and financial allocations.
Alausa also stressed the importance of digitalisation, accountability, and stricter measures against examination malpractice as part of broader efforts to strengthen the education system.
He called on stakeholders to focus on implementation rather than policy formulation alone, warning that reforms would only succeed if properly enforced.
“The decisions we take here will have far-reaching implications for millions of young Nigerians,” he said, before formally declaring the meeting open.
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