The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Is-haq Oloyede, has clarified that the examination body is not responsible for admissions into Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes or the failure of some polytechnic graduates to be mobilised for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
Oloyede clarified during a meeting with the leadership of the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), led by Eshofune Oghayan, according to a statement issued by JAMB’s Public Communication Advisor, Fabian Benjamin.
The JAMB registrar explained that the board’s mandate is limited to conducting entrance examinations and processing admissions into first-degree programmes, National Diploma (ND), and Nigerian Certificate in Education (NCE), stressing that HND admissions are handled solely by individual polytechnics.
“The board is not responsible for admitting HND students into polytechnics and, therefore, has no data to facilitate their entry into the NYSC scheme,” Oloyede said.
His remarks come amid growing complaints from polytechnic graduates who say they were denied mobilisation into the NYSC scheme after completing HND programmes.
Many of the affected graduates had earlier obtained their ND certificates through part-time or non-regular programmes before proceeding to full-time HND studies.
However, NYSC eligibility generally requires full-time academic records for the highest qualification.
Oloyede noted that irregularities in admission processes, such as part-time ND classifications, unprocessed admissions, or admissions conducted outside the official system, often lead to the NYSC rejecting such graduates or issuing them exemption certificates instead of mobilising them for national service.
He emphasised that once candidates complete their ND programmes and seek HND admission, the responsibility shifts entirely to the institutions offering the programme.
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The JAMB registrar also highlighted the role of the board’s automated Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS), which he said was designed to streamline admissions into tertiary institutions, promote transparency, and prevent irregular admissions.
Oloyede warned that any admission conducted outside CAPS is illegal and will not be recognised.
He further accused some institutions of bypassing CAPS and admitting more ND candidates than the quota approved by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), creating discrepancies that later affect graduates seeking HND admission or NYSC mobilisation.
The JAMB boss also criticised certain daily part-time HND programmes run by some polytechnics, describing them as exploitative and often rejected by NYSC authorities.
“Some polytechnics have conducted illegal admissions, with one institution reportedly having over 42,000 irregular cases,” Oloyede said.
He urged tertiary institutions to comply strictly with the approved admission process to avoid future complications for their graduates.
“If institutions follow the proper process, there would be no problem. On our part, we will continue to render quality service beneficial to all stakeholders. Let’s do things properly,” he added.
