The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has restored its Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) following a temporary disruption, directing tertiary institutions to accelerate the 2026/2027 admission process. In a statement released on Monday, JAMB confirmed that CAPS is now fully operational and urged institutions to recover lost time to meet the agreed deadlines. The board also advised candidates to promptly accept admission offers through the system as institutions resume processing. The restoration follows a period of operational challenges that delayed admissions for thousands of students seeking entry into Nigerian universities and other tertiary institutions.
JAMB reaffirmed key deadlines for the 2026/2027 academic session, setting October 31, 2026, as the cutoff for public universities, November 30, 2026, for private universities, and December 31, 2026, for other tertiary institutions. The board emphasized that the resumption of CAPS would enable institutions to finalize admissions ahead of these dates. Additionally, JAMB urged candidates awaiting Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) results to upload or verify their credentials promptly, following the release of the 2026 National Examinations Council (NECO) results. This step is critical to ensure their qualifications are available for consideration as admission processes intensify.
The board expressed regret for the inconvenience caused by the system disruption and thanked stakeholders for their patience. JAMB reiterated its commitment to maintaining a streamlined admissions process, stating that the restoration of CAPS would allow institutions to resume normal operations. The statement highlighted the importance of timely actions by both candidates and institutions to avoid further delays. With the system back online, JAMB stressed that candidates must act swiftly to accept offers, while universities must prioritize processing applications to meet the deadlines set for the academic year.
The resumption of CAPS comes amid heightened scrutiny of Nigeria’s higher education admission processes, which have faced repeated technical and administrative challenges. The 2026 deadlines represent a critical timeline for students and institutions, with non-compliance risking prolonged delays in enrollment. JAMB’s actions underscore the agency’s role in ensuring transparency and efficiency in a system that affects millions of students annually. The board’s emphasis on deadlines and procedural compliance reflects broader efforts to stabilize admissions amid ongoing reforms in the sector.