JAMB Raises Standards For Under-16 University Applicants.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has introduced rigorous new criteria for candidates under 16 seeking admission to Nigerian tertiary institutions in the 2025/2026 academic session. The announcement, made by JAMB Registrar Professor Ishaq Oloyede during a virtual meeting with vice-chancellors and admissions officers in Abuja, sets a high benchmark to ensure only exceptionally gifted young students are considered for early entry.
Under the new policy, candidates below 16 must achieve a minimum score of 320 out of 400 (80%) in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), alongside scoring at least 80% in both the post-UTME and Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE). They must also pass a specialised interview to assess their emotional and psychological readiness for university life. These measures aim to balance academic brilliance with cognitive maturity, addressing concerns about the growing trend of underage candidates in Nigerian universities.
Professor Oloyede revealed that of the 38,000 underage applicants for the 2025 UTME, only 599 met the 320-score threshold, justifying the need for stricter scrutiny. He emphasised that the policy is not a blanket ban but a safeguard against “academic abuse,” ensuring young students are prepared for the rigours of higher education. The move aligns with the Ministry of Education’s policy, endorsed by Minister Dr Tunji Alausa, which sets 16 as the minimum admission age but allows exceptions for truly exceptional candidates.
To oversee the process, JAMB has established a 23-member National Committee on Underage Admission, chaired by Professor Oloyede, to screen candidates in centres across Abuja, Lagos, and Owerri. A subcommittee, led by former Sports Minister Professor Taoheed Adedoja, has been tasked with designing a screening framework that includes affective and psychomotor evaluations, ensuring holistic assessment of candidates’ readiness.
The policy has sparked varied reactions. Some stakeholders praise it as a step towards protecting young students from premature academic pressure, while others note the challenges it poses for gifted children. Four universities—Air Force Institute of Technology, Kaduna; Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi; University of Jos; and Osun State University—have already declared they will not admit underage candidates under any circumstances, prompting JAMB to advise affected applicants to consider alternative institutions.
Professor Oloyede also highlighted systemic issues fuelling underage applications, including early primary school enrolment, the unofficial removal of Primary Six in some states, and the influence of “miracle” tutorial centres. He urged parents to prioritise their children’s long-term wellbeing over social validation through early academic milestones.
As JAMB rolls out these measures, the board has removed all under-16 candidates from its Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS), requiring institutions to seek explicit approval for any such admissions. With the 2025 UTME registration set to begin on 31 January and a mock exam scheduled for 23 February, the new policy signals a transformative approach to ensuring academic excellence and emotional maturity in Nigeria’s tertiary education system.