The Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) boards in Kenya and Uganda have written to Nigeria to confirm the credentials of Nigerian candidates seeking admission to tertiary institutions in their respective countries.

JAMB disclosed this in a document titled ‘Registrar’s Report on 2023 ADMISSION & 2024 UTME Policy Meeting,’ on Wednesday.

This move comes after cases of fake certification were detected by JAMB. The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) had also invalidated the certificates of 101 graduates from the University of Calabar (UNICAL) who were mobilised during the 2021, 2022, and 2023 service years.

JAMB, in the document,  stressed the need to protect Nigeria’s tertiary institutions from international disrepute and noted that it would not falsify the records of any students.

“Uganda and Kenya examination boards are now writing to JAMB to confirm records presented by candidates for admission of candidates. JAMB would not falsify records,” JAMB  stated.

The development follows the Federal Government’s suspension of the verification of degree certificates from Uganda, Kenya, Benin Republic, Togo, and other countries over allegations of certificate racketeering.
JAMB has also threatened to sanction higher institutions that fail to submit lists of students admitted immediately after matriculation, as part of efforts to combat fake degree racketeering.

JAMB’s spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, said the initiative is one of the recommendations made by a committee set up by the Federal Government to combat fake degree racketeering in the country.

According to a ‘CLARIFICATION ON DISCLOSURE OF ADMITTED CANDIDATES OUTSIDE CAPS( 2017-DATE)’ by JAMB, institutions are to “regularly submit their matriculation lists to the Federal Ministry of Education not later than three months after matriculation ceremonies.”

“The Board has observed a large number of candidates thronging its offices to resolve issues related to the disclosure of candidates admitted outside the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) from 2017 to date. While we appreciate the enthusiasm, we must correct the misconception that the focus is on candidates’ actions. The true emphasis lies with the institutions, which must disclose all candidates admitted outside CAPS before the August 31st, 2024, deadline.

“This directive requires immediate attention and compliance. We urge institutions to carefully review our initial letter and ensure full compliance, as failure to disclose will result in severe consequences. Candidates are also reminded not to accept admissions outside CAPS.

“The Board reiterated that candidates not disclosed by institutions would not be entertained. The Board will not tolerate any confinement of undisclosed admissions moving forward.”

The Education Ministry has directed JAMB to enforce mandatory requirements for admissions processes and regular submission of matriculation lists to prevent undisclosed admissions.

The Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, has also vowed to flush out holders of fake degrees from the Nigerian educational system