In an era where fake admission agents prey on unsuspecting students and their parents, Yakubu Gowon University—formerly known as the University of Abuja—has sounded a strong warning: admission into the institution is not for sale.
At the university’s maiden Hybrid Pre-Admission Sensitisation for 2025/2026 Post-UTME candidates in Abuja, the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Patricia Lar, emphasised that entry into the school will continue to be guided by merit, excellence, and transparency.
She explained that the university’s leadership is deeply concerned about the growing activities of admission racketeers and is taking proactive steps to protect prospective students from fraudsters.
Table of Contents
UniAbuja is Setting the Record Straight
Prof. Lar, represented at the event by Prof. Wesley Nafanda, the Director of Academic Planning, said the sensitisation programme was designed to be both informative and protective. The hybrid event brought together prospective students, their parents, and key university officials—including faculty deans—to directly interact and address any concerns about the admission process.
“This gathering is to guide our future students through the proper admission procedures and help them avoid the traps set by scammers,” she stated. “We want the public to understand that our process is transparent, based on merit and excellence, and we will not compromise on those principles.”
According to her, the institution has zero tolerance for bribery or underhand dealings. “The university does not collect money from anyone for admission,” she stressed. “If anyone claims they can get you admitted for a fee, they are lying.”
Why the Sensitisation Matters
The Acting Vice-Chancellor noted that many prospective candidates—especially first-generation university hopefuls—are often unfamiliar with the correct processes for securing admission. This ignorance, she explained, makes them vulnerable to fraud.
“By holding this programme, we are not just giving information; we are empowering students and parents to make informed decisions,” she added. “If a student meets the criteria for their chosen course, they will be admitted without having to pay a kobo to anyone.”
Tackling the Menace of Fake Admissions
Prof. Lanre Oladeiton, Director of the Development Office, shed more light on why the university launched the sensitisation programme. He revealed that over the years, a disturbing pattern had emerged—candidates who did not secure admission through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) somehow ended up with forged or illegal admission offers.
“In some cases, these candidates even paid large sums to fraudsters,” he said. “When the Vice-Chancellor saw the scale of this problem, she immediately set up a committee to investigate. We found that a mix of misconception and lack of awareness was at the root of why people fall victim.”
He reiterated the institution’s zero tolerance for backdoor admissions, adding that “anyone who applies will be considered strictly on merit and within the JAMB-approved procedures.”
UniAbuja Clear Rules, No Shortcuts
One of the key speakers, Ms. Safiya Ismail, a member of the Central Admission Committee, gave a detailed breakdown of the admission requirements:
- First Choice Status: Candidates must have selected UniAbuja as their first choice during JAMB registration.
- O-Level Requirements: Five credits, including Mathematics and English, in no more than two sittings. Only WAEC, NECO, and NABTEB are accepted.
- No Pass Grades in Core Subjects: A pass in Maths or English automatically disqualifies a candidate, regardless of UTME score.
- Minimum Age: Candidates must be at least 16 years old by September 2025 (exceptions apply for outstanding students, subject to strict criteria).
- Result Upload: All O-Level results must be uploaded to the JAMB portal. Candidates using two sittings should select their best results.
- No Awaiting Results: The university does not accept candidates whose results are still pending.
“If you score 400 in JAMB but have a pass in Maths or English, we will not admit you,” she said firmly. “These rules are not meant to punish anyone but to uphold academic standards.”
She also advised students to regularly check their admission portal and ensure they know the correct subject combinations for their chosen courses.
No Room for Desperation
The Dean of Student Affairs, Dr. Sunday Idoko, echoed the warning about fraudulent payments. “Never pay money into any personal account for admission purposes,” he cautioned. “The only legitimate payment channel is the university portal.”
Dr. Hassan Makolo, Head of the Legal Unit and Chief Security Officer, took an even stronger stance: “If we discover that a student gained admission through fraudulent means, they will be expelled—no matter how far they have progressed in their studies. Even if the fraud is uncovered after graduation, the university will withdraw the certificate.”
He also warned against falsifying O-Level results: “Our verification processes are thorough. Any manipulation will be detected, and the consequences will be severe.”
Parents’ Role in Combating Racketeering
Makolo urged parents to resist the urge to “help” their children gain admission through shortcuts. “Let the children come in properly and legally,” he said. “When parents encourage them to cut corners, they are setting them up for disgrace later.”
This sentiment was echoed by other faculty deans present at the event, each of whom highlighted the specific criteria for gaining admission into their respective faculties.
The Bigger Picture: Merit as the Foundation
The repeated emphasis on merit is more than just rhetoric for UniAbuja—it is a policy that the leadership believes is crucial for preserving the institution’s integrity and academic reputation.
By insisting that admission is strictly based on performance and qualification, the university hopes to ensure that only students who are academically prepared for the rigours of tertiary education are admitted.
This stance also reflects a broader call for transparency in Nigeria’s education sector, where corruption and manipulation have often undermined trust in institutions.
The Scourge of Admission Fraud in Nigeria
Admission racketeering is not new in Nigeria. Each year, thousands of hopefuls fall victim to fake agents who promise “special slots” or “connection” into universities. Many of these fraudsters operate online, using forged documents and fake websites to appear legitimate.
In some cases, even staff within institutions have been implicated in illegal admissions, prompting many universities—including UniAbuja—to tighten internal controls and increase public sensitisation.
For candidates and parents, the financial loss is often devastating—but the emotional toll can be even worse, especially when a young person realises they have wasted years chasing a fake admission.
Why UniAbuja’s Approach Matters
By holding this hybrid sensitisation programme, UniAbuja is taking a proactive, preventive approach rather than simply reacting after fraud has occurred. This kind of open-door communication between university officials, students, and parents is rare in the Nigerian education space.
The university’s strategy combines:
- Direct Engagement: Creating a platform where students can ask questions face-to-face.
- Transparency: Publishing clear admission requirements and discouraging secret dealings.
- Strict Enforcement: Threatening expulsion or certificate withdrawal for fraudulent admissions.
- Public Awareness: Educating the public about how admission fraud operates and how to avoid it.
A Message of Hope and Integrity
Prof. Lar’s closing message at the event was one of encouragement: “If you have the right grades, the right subject combination, and meet the age requirement, you will get in. We will not deny any qualified candidate their rightful place because they refused to pay a bribe.”
She emphasised that the university is committed to producing graduates who not only excel academically but also embody integrity from the moment they step onto campus.
Bottom Line for UniAbuja’s Prospective Students
For any prospective candidate eyeing Yakubu Gowon University, the message is clear:
- Do the work. Study hard for UTME and your O-Levels.
- Follow the rules. Choose the university as your first choice and upload your results correctly.
- Avoid shortcuts. If someone promises you admission for money, walk away.
- Stay informed. Use only the university’s official communication channels.
In the end, the best way to secure a future at UniAbuja is through merit and transparency, not through desperation or deceit.
Join Our Social Media Channels:
WhatsApp: NaijaEyes
Facebook: NaijaEyes
Twitter: NaijaEyes
Instagram: NaijaEyes
TikTok: NaijaEyes
READ THE LATEST EDUCATION NEWS
