The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, has disclosed that the Board has uncovered over 15,000 fake admission letters used by candidates to fraudulently qualify for mobilisation into the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
Oloyede made the revelation on Monday in Abuja during the 2025 Batch C Pre-Mobilisation Workshop organised by the NYSC, warning that those involved in the large-scale forgery are currently facing prosecution.
According to him, the fraudulent acts were discovered through JAMB’s internal audit and record cross-verification with various tertiary institutions.
“One day, I ran to your predecessor because I couldn’t believe that 15,000 candidates forged admission letters,” Oloyede said. “As I speak, some deputy registrars are being tried by the ICPC. No fewer than 17 deputy vice-chancellors and four JAMB staff are already in prison custody. Those who want to go to jail should do so knowingly, not by accident.”
The JAMB boss advised stakeholders and institutions to adhere strictly to established rules to avoid self-inflicted problems, stressing that integrity in the admission process remains the foundation of Nigeria’s higher education system.
Speaking at the same event, the NYSC Director-General, Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, cautioned stakeholders against any acts capable of undermining the credibility of the mobilisation process.
He decried the rising cases of forged credentials, multiple registrations, and identity theft, warning that such practices threaten the integrity and credibility of the NYSC scheme.
“Mobilising eligible Nigerian graduates for national service remains central to the NYSC’s mandate,” Nafiu said. “The mobilisation process is the gateway to the service year and a vital link in preparing young Nigerians for national integration and development. This aspect of our operations cannot be allowed to suffer disrepute.”
The DG noted that the adoption of the NYSC Integrated System (NIS) since 2014 has improved efficiency but also attracted cyber threats and data integrity challenges. He assured that the scheme is continuously investing in cybersecurity and staff digital literacy to safeguard its systems.
Nafiu further condemned the operations of unapproved study centres and degree mills, many of which function under false affiliations with accredited institutions. He vowed that the NYSC would continue to apply strict sanctions against unethical practices.
Also speaking, the Director of Corps Mobilisation, Rachel Idaewor, acknowledged progress made through innovation and collaboration but warned that data integrity lapses remain a key challenge.
“The fraudulent uploading of unqualified persons continues to affect the credibility of our mobilisation process. Accurate and reliable data is the backbone of any successful operation,” she said.
The workshop brought together education stakeholders, regulatory bodies, and ICT experts to review strategies for securing the NYSC mobilisation process and strengthening institutional accountability.
