Clarification on Mobilization Responsibilities
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has stated that it is not responsible for the non-mobilization of Higher National Diploma (HND) graduates for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). This announcement comes amid ongoing concerns from polytechnic graduates regarding their eligibility for the NYSC.
According to Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, the JAMB registrar, “The Board is not responsible for admitting HND students into polytechnics and, therefore, has no data to facilitate their entry into the NYSC scheme.” This clarification underscores the distinction between JAMB’s role in managing admissions into tertiary institutions and the responsibilities of polytechnics.
JAMB conducts entrance examinations and manages admissions through its Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS), while polytechnics are tasked with admitting students into HND programs. Eligibility for mobilization into the NYSC is determined by relevant authorities, not by JAMB.
There have been longstanding complaints by polytechnic graduates over difficulties with NYSC mobilization for HND holders. Some polytechnics have reportedly conducted illegal admissions, leading to discrepancies in records that complicate the mobilization process.
In related news, JAMB has reported a total of 2,243,816 candidates registered for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). This figure includes 321,814 registrants from Lagos, 303,498 from Kaduna, and 302,963 from the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
JAMB has also remitted ₦1.57 billion to accredited Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres for the 2026 UTME registration exercise. The registration service charge for UTME is set at ₦700 per candidate, although some CBT operators have expressed concerns that this fee no longer reflects the actual cost of delivering the service.
Prof. Oloyede emphasized the importance of following proper processes, stating, “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.”
Looking ahead, JAMB has projected an internally generated revenue of ₦23.8 billion for 2026, an increase of ₦4 billion from the previous year’s target. The Board has also created 1,000 examination centres for the upcoming UTME.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the specific measures that will be taken to address the mobilization issues faced by HND graduates. Observers are keenly watching how these developments will unfold in the coming months.