Concerns over the inability of some Higher National Diploma (HND) graduates to participate in the National Youth Service Corps scheme have prompted clarification from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), which says it has no role in HND admissions or the mobilisation process.

The clarification was made during a meeting between the Registrar of JAMB, Is-haq Oloyede, and the leadership of the National Association of Polytechnic Students, led by Comrade Eshofune Paul Oghayan. Details of the meeting were disclosed in a bulletin issued on Monday by the board’s Public Communication Advisor, Fabian Benjamin.

The statement comes amid growing frustration among polytechnic graduates who have faced obstacles when attempting to enrol in the National Youth Service Corps programme after completing their HND studies.

Challenges Facing Some HND Graduates

Several graduates—particularly those who obtained their National Diploma (ND) through part-time or other non-regular programmes before progressing to full-time HND studies—have encountered difficulties with NYSC mobilisation.

Under existing guidelines, eligibility for the national service scheme typically requires that the candidate’s highest qualification be obtained through a full-time academic programme.

In some cases, inconsistencies in admission records—such as part-time ND classifications or unprocessed admissions—have resulted in graduates being denied mobilisation or issued exemption certificates instead of being deployed for service.

These situations have led to criticism from affected alumni, with some alleging that admission data handled by JAMB may have contributed to the problem.

JAMB Clarifies Its Mandate

Addressing the students’ concerns, Oloyede explained that the board’s responsibilities are limited to the conduct of entrance examinations and admissions into first-degree programmes, National Diploma (ND), and the Nigerian Certificate in Education (NCE).

According to him, the board does not handle admissions for HND programmes offered by 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,” the registrar stated.

He advised affected students to direct their complaints to the appropriate authorities, noting that once candidates complete their ND programmes and seek admission into HND programmes, the admission process is handled solely by the individual institutions.

Role of the Central Admissions Processing System

Oloyede also highlighted the role of the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) introduced by JAMB to automate admissions into tertiary institutions.

He said the platform was designed to enhance transparency, reduce irregularities associated with manual admissions, and provide candidates with better information about available programmes and institutions.

According to the registrar, any admission conducted outside the CAPS platform is considered invalid.

“CAPS automates the admissions process into tertiary institutions, addresses challenges associated with the manual approach, and empowers candidates with information on available institutions and programmes,” he said.

Concerns Over Admission Irregularities

The JAMB registrar further raised concerns that some institutions circumvent CAPS procedures by admitting more ND students than the quotas approved by the National Board for Technical Education.

Such practices, he noted, can create discrepancies when ND graduates later pursue HND programmes—particularly if the HND is obtained at a different institution.

Oloyede also criticised certain “Daily Part-Time” HND programmes, describing them as exploitative and warning that graduates from such unconventional programmes are often rejected during NYSC mobilisation.

He disclosed that investigations had revealed widespread irregularities in some institutions, including one polytechnic with more than 42,000 questionable admission cases.

“If institutions follow the proper process, there would be no problem,” he said, urging schools to adhere strictly to approved admission procedures.

Call for Compliance

The JAMB registrar concluded by emphasising that adherence to established guidelines by tertiary institutions would help eliminate many of the challenges currently facing polytechnic graduates.

He assured stakeholders that the board would continue to maintain standards in the admission process while encouraging institutions and students alike to ensure that all academic procedures are carried out in accordance with regulatory requirements.