The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has issued a stern warning to admission seekers against being coerced by institutions into changing their programmes of study.

JAMB’s Spokesman, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, gave the warning in a statement released on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the examination body, the practice — where institutions persuade candidates to alter their chosen programmes — is unethical and aimed at manipulating the merit-based admission system to favour certain individuals.

The statement emphasized that all admissions in Nigeria are conducted exclusively through the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS), a platform designed to promote accountability, transparency, and equal opportunity.

JAMB noted that any change of programme or admission activity carried out outside CAPS is unauthorized, unethical, and potentially harmful to the candidate’s prospects.

“For institutions to engage in such backdoor maneuvers clearly indicates an intent to deceive and shortchange candidates, and such acts will not be condoned by the Board,” the statement read.

The Board added that once a candidate accepts a change initiated through an institutional portal, such an action will be deemed voluntary, even if the candidate was misled into it.

JAMB further disclosed that preliminary investigations had uncovered that a university in the South-West and another in Abuja were involved in this practice. It said regulatory actions were already underway to address the unethical conduct and protect candidates’ interests.

“Candidates are strongly advised to disregard any invitation or request to change programmes made through institutional portals or unofficial channels. All admission-related activities must be done strictly through the JAMB CAPS portal,” JAMB warned.

The Board reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring fairness, equity, and transparency in the 2025 admission process and beyond.