The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has exposed a staggering fraud involving 15,000 individuals who fabricated admission letters to gain entry into Nigeria’s National Youth Service Corps program.
Professor Is-haq Oloyede, JAMB’s Registrar, dropped this bombshell on Monday at the 2025 Batch C Pre-Mobilisation Workshop organized by the NYSC in Abuja, revealing that prosecutions are already underway for those implicated in the scheme.
The scale of the fraud reaches into the highest levels of Nigeria’s educational institutions. Professor Oloyede disclosed that the investigation has led to serious consequences for senior officials who enabled or participated in the forgery ring.
“As I speak with you, some deputy registrars are being tried by ICPC. Some deputy vice-chancellors, not less than 17, including four JAMB staff, are in prison custody. We took them to ICPC,” the Registrar stated bluntly.
He recounted his shock at the discovery: “One day I ran to your predecessor because I couldn’t believe that 15,000 candidates forged admission letters.”
JAMB’s internal audit and cross-verification of records from various tertiary institutions exposed the massive scheme. The systematic checking revealed thousands of candidates attempting to participate in NYSC with fraudulent credentials.
Professor Oloyede issued a stern warning to anyone considering similar fraudulent activities: “Those who want to go to jail should do so knowingly, not by accident. I want to advise you: follow the rules and you will have less problems. Follow the right path and you will see that most of the problems that are self-created by you will be eliminated.”
Brigadier-General Olakunle Nafiu, Director-General of NYSC, expressed deep concern about the mounting cases of credential forgery, multiple registrations, and identity theft by unqualified individuals trying to infiltrate the service scheme.
Speaking at the same workshop, he emphasized that these fraudulent practices threaten the very foundation of a program designed to uphold national values and ensure only qualified graduates serve the nation.
“We all know that mobilising eligible Nigerian graduates for national service remains central to the NYSC’s mandate,” Nafiu explained. “Mobilisation is the gateway to the service year and a vital link in preparing young Nigerian graduates for national integration and development. This key aspect of our operations cannot be allowed to suffer disrepute.”
The NYSC chief noted that while the scheme has built public confidence through transparent mobilisation processes over the years, the transition to digital systems has brought new challenges.
Since adopting the NYSC Integrated System in 2014, the organization has seen improved efficiency but also faces increased cyber threats. According to Nafiu, the scheme continues strengthening its digital defences and investing in protecting its online infrastructure.
“For about 11 years now, we have continued to build digital databank, and our mobilisation process is today almost fully digitised,” he said.
Brigadier-General Nafiu highlighted another persistent headache: unapproved study centres and so-called “degree mills” operating under questionable affiliations with accredited institutions.
“Let me emphasise that the NYSC will continue to apply sanctions wherever such unethical practices are discovered,” he warned.
He also acknowledged that some officers handling mobilisation data need improved digital literacy, emphasizing that effective data validation and system management require continuous training.
Rachel Idaewor, Director of Corps Mobilisation, acknowledged progress in recent mobilisation efforts thanks to innovative approaches and enhanced cooperation. However, she stressed that significant challenges remain, particularly regarding data integrity.
“The fraudulent uploading of unqualified persons continues to affect the credibility of our mobilization process negatively,” Idaewor stated.
She urged workshop participants to tackle contemporary issues head-on, noting that data integrity extends far beyond technical concerns.
“The integrity of our data is not just a technical challenge; it has far-reaching implications for the personal and professional futures of our youth,” she explained. “Accurate, reliable data forms the backbone of any successful operational strategy, enabling us to effectively mobilise our youth for national service.”
Both JAMB and NYSC officials called on all relevant institutions and agencies to strengthen verification mechanisms and work collaboratively to protect the scheme from further abuse.
The revelation of 15,000 forged admission letters represents one of the largest educational fraud cases in recent Nigerian history, raising serious questions about oversight and the ease with which unqualified individuals have been able to manipulate the system.
With senior university officials, JAMB staff, and numerous candidates now facing prosecution, the message is clear: the days of circumventing proper admission and mobilisation procedures are over.
As investigations continue, educational authorities are determined to restore full integrity to both the admission process and the NYSC mobilisation system that millions of genuine Nigerian graduates depend on for their mandatory service year.