Why Some Institutions Offer Admission Without Being Chosen on JAMB CAPS
Every year, thousands of Nigerian students are surprised to discover that some universities and polytechnics offer them admission on JAMB CAPS even though they never selected those institutions during registration. This development often raises questions such as, “Is this admission real?” or “Should I accept an admission offer from a school I didn’t choose?”
This article explains in detail why this happens, the role of JAMB Marketplace, the type of schools that use it, and what every candidate should know before accepting such offers.
Understanding How JAMB CAPS Works
The Central Admission Processing System (CAPS) was introduced by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to make the admission process transparent, fair, and fully digital. Through CAPS, candidates can monitor their admission status, accept or reject offers, and ensure that every admission is officially approved by JAMB.
While most candidates expect to get offers only from the schools they chose as first or second choices, JAMB CAPS also includes a feature known as the Marketplace, which allows institutions to offer admission to qualified candidates who did not initially choose them.
What Is JAMB Marketplace?
The JAMB Marketplace is a digital platform where universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education can request candidates who meet their admission requirements but did not originally apply to them. The goal is to help institutions fill vacant admission slots after their main admission process.
For instance, if a private university or polytechnic still has available spaces after admitting all its first-choice applicants, it can log into the JAMB Marketplace and select candidates with suitable UTME scores and O’level results who are yet to gain admission elsewhere.
Once a candidate is matched with the institution’s requirements, JAMB sends an admission offer to the candidate’s CAPS portal. This is why a student who never applied to a school might suddenly see a new offer from that institution on their JAMB profile.
Why Some Institutions Use Marketplace Admission
Many institutions in Nigeria — especially private universities and polytechnics — rely on Marketplace admissions for several reasons:
- To fill unoccupied admission spaces: Some schools do not reach their full admission quota due to low applications, so they use the Marketplace to find more candidates.
- To attract qualified students: Private universities and innovative enterprise institutions use this method to invite candidates who scored above their minimum JAMB cut-off mark.
- To comply with JAMB policies: All admissions must pass through JAMB CAPS, even for private schools. Marketplace offers allow them to legally admit new students.
Examples of Institutions That Commonly Offer Marketplace Admission
Although not all institutions use this system, the Marketplace feature is most common among private and some lesser-known polytechnics. Examples of schools that often appear in candidates’ CAPS Marketplace offers include:
- Caleb University, Imota, Lagos
- Crescent University, Abeokuta
- Landmark University, Omu-Aran
- Gregory University, Uturu
- Baze University, Abuja
- Dominican University, Ibadan
- Nile University, Abuja
- Chrisland University, Abeokuta
- Crown Polytechnic, Ekiti
- Heritage Polytechnic, Akwa Ibom
These institutions use the system to reach candidates who meet their admission criteria but did not list them as first or second choice. However, public universities and polytechnics rarely do this since they usually have more applicants than available spaces.
How to Check Marketplace Admission Offers
Candidates can easily check if they’ve received such offers through their JAMB CAPS account. Here’s how:
- Visit the JAMB e-Facility Portal.
- Login with your registered email address and password.
- Click on “Check Admission Status.”
- Select “Access My CAPS.”
- Click on the “Marketplace” tab on the left side.
- If a school has offered you admission through the Marketplace, it will appear there with an option to Accept or Reject.
If you accept the offer, JAMB will automatically process it as your official admission, and your name will appear on the institution’s admission list.
What to Consider Before Accepting a Marketplace Offer
Before accepting any offer from a school you didn’t choose, it’s important to do proper research. Consider the following factors:
- Accreditation: Visit the National Universities Commission (NUC) or NBTE websites to confirm if the school and course are accredited.
- School Fees: Many private institutions have higher tuition fees, so check the financial implications.
- Location and Facilities: Ensure the campus is safe and has proper learning facilities.
- Future Opportunities: Check if the certificate from that school is widely accepted for NYSC or further studies.
Once you accept a Marketplace offer, your previous choices on JAMB CAPS may no longer be available, so make sure it’s a decision you’re comfortable with.
Benefits of the Marketplace System
While some candidates may feel skeptical about being offered admission by schools they didn’t choose, the system actually has several advantages:
- It increases the chances of gaining admission for many candidates.
- It ensures that no admission quota is wasted by schools.
- It gives students flexibility and more school options without waiting another year.
Conclusion
In summary, if you see an unexpected admission offer from a university or polytechnic on your JAMB CAPS, don’t panic — it’s likely from the Marketplace system. Such offers are legitimate, but candidates should verify the school’s accreditation and confirm their readiness to study there before accepting.
Always remember that every admission must pass through JAMB CAPS to be valid. Therefore, stay informed, check your portal regularly, and make the right decision that aligns with your academic goals.
For more educational updates, visit our Education News section on Alphayem.com.ng.
