The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially clarified that it holds no responsibility for the admission of Higher National Diploma (HND) students or the subsequent difficulties some graduates encounter during mobilization for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
The Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, addressed the matter during a meeting with leaders of the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) at the Board’s headquarters.
In a bulletin issued on Monday, March 9, 2026, the Board underscored that its mandate is strictly limited to conducting examinations and processing admissions for first-degree, National Diploma (ND), and Nigerian Certificate in Education (NCE) programmes.
Many HND graduates, particularly those who completed their National Diploma through part-time or irregular programmes, have faced barriers to NYSC mobilization, as the scheme typically mandates full-time study for eligibility.
Prof. Oloyede noted that the frustration among affected graduates has led to misconceptions about JAMB’s role, advising students to redirect their grievances to the appropriate authorities managing HND admissions.
“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 stated.
He emphasized that HND admissions are handled directly by individual institutions.
The Registrar took the opportunity to reiterate the importance of the Board’s Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS). He explained that CAPS was designed to automate and streamline the admission process, ensuring transparency and preventing the challenges associated with manual methods.
He warned institutions against admitting students outside of this platform, clarifying that such admissions are not recognized by the Board.
Prof. Oloyede also highlighted systemic issues within some polytechnics, including the practice of admitting more students than the capacity approved by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).
He criticized certain Daily Part-Time HND programmes as exploitative and risky for students who intend to participate in the NYSC scheme, as these unconventional paths are frequently rejected by the service corps.
“Some polytechnics have conducted illegal admissions, with one institution reportedly having over 42,000 irregular cases,” he noted.
He concluded by urging institutions to strictly adhere to established procedures, promising that JAMB remains committed to providing quality service to all stakeholders while encouraging a culture of compliance across the sector.