The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that candidates below the age of 16 may be considered for admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions if they demonstrate outstanding academic performance by scoring at least 320 out of 400 (80%) in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
This decision comes after the reversal of the mandatory 18-year admission age policy introduced by former Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman. The current Minister of Education, Olatunji Alausa, reinstated the 16-year minimum age requirement, a move widely supported by education stakeholders.
During a recent meeting with key stakeholders—including Chief External Examiners, Chief Technical Advisors, and members of the Equal Opportunity Group—JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, emphasized that while 16 remains the standard admission age, exceptions should be made for exceptionally gifted students under strict conditions.
“This is about adhering to the law,” Oloyede stated. “Age plays a crucial role in intellectual and academic development. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be age restrictions for leadership positions such as local government chairmanship. While the rules set 16 as the minimum age, we must recognize and accommodate exceptionally talented children.”
He further explained that underage candidates must not only excel in UTME but also demonstrate exceptional ability 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 out of 400 in UTME, can they truly be considered exceptional? However, a score of 320 (80%) signals outstanding ability and deserves consideration,” he added.
Oloyede also criticized private universities for admitting underage students who often struggle academically, with up to 80% eventually switching to other programs due to poor performance.
Additionally, he condemned the practice of parents falsifying birth records to secure early admission for their children, only to later attempt age adjustments for eligibility in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program.
To assess the readiness of underage candidates, JAMB has introduced a mock UTME for students below the standard admission age.
“This mock exam is not for university admission but to help younger students evaluate their academic capabilities,” Oloyede explained.
JAMB’s 2025 registration process will commence on January 31 and end on March 5, with a mock exam scheduled for February 23 and the main UTME on March 8.