JAMB Sets Conditions for Under-16 Candidates Seeking University Admission

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that candidates below the age of 16 may be considered for university admission if they demonstrate exceptional academic ability by scoring at least 80% (320 out of 400) in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

This decision follows the reversal of the 18-year minimum admission age introduced by former Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman. The current Minister, Olatunji Alausa, has reinstated the previous benchmark of 16 years, a move widely endorsed by education stakeholders.

Speaking at a recent meeting with key education stakeholders—including Chief External Examiners, Chief Technical Advisors, and the Equal Opportunity Group—JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, reaffirmed that the standard admission age remains 16. However, he noted that exceptional candidates under 16 could be considered under strict conditions.

A transcript of the meeting, published in JAMB’s bulletin, quoted Oloyede as saying:

“This is about complying with the law. Age is a crucial factor in academic and intellectual development, just as it is for leadership roles such as local government chairmanship. While the rules exist, there must be room for exceptions. The Minister of Education has made it clear that the minimum admission age remains 16, but we cannot ignore the existence of gifted children. They should be identified and given a chance to sit for the exams.”

He stressed that underage candidates must not only excel in the UTME but also in other assessments such as the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), Post-UTME, and General Certificate Examination (GCE) O’ Level.

“If a candidate under 16 scores 200 in the UTME, can they truly be considered exceptional? But if they achieve 320 or above, that demonstrates outstanding ability and justifies consideration,” he added.

Oloyede, however, raised concerns over private universities admitting underage students, noting that many of them struggle academically, with up to 80% eventually transferring to other programmes due to poor performance.

He also condemned the practice of parents manipulating birth records to secure early admission for their children, only to later attempt to alter their ages for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) eligibility.

Additionally, the JAMB Registrar revealed that the board has introduced a mock UTME for underage candidates. He clarified that this initiative is not for university admission but rather a means for younger students to assess their academic capabilities.

“We are commencing the sale of forms on January 31, with registration closing on March 5. A mock exam is scheduled for February 23, while the main UTME will take place on March 8,” Oloyede announced.

This development marks a significant shift in Nigeria’s university admission policy, creating opportunities for academically gifted but underage students while maintaining strict admission criteria.