Re-Assessing Centralised Tertiary Admissions in Nigeria: A Comparative Review of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board

Abstract

This paper critically examines Nigeria’s centralised tertiary admissions framework through a comparative review of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). Using qualitative methods— including theoretical discourse and comparative document analysis—it reviews literature on institutional efficiency and public admission systems. The study contrasts Nigeria’s fully centralised model with hybrid systems in South Africa and the United Kingdom, as well as decentralised approaches in the United States. Findings reveal that while JAMB enhances transparency and coordination through tools like the Central Admission Processing System (CAPS), its rigid centralisation limits institutional autonomy and fails to resolve access inequalities. The paper recommends adopting a hybrid admissions model that balances central oversight with institutional discretion to improve equity, efficiency, and responsiveness in Nigeria’s higher education system.