Nigeria’s Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced a revised admission policy allowing candidates below 16 years to enter tertiary institutions if they demonstrate exceptional academic prowess.
Specifically, underage students must score at least 80% (320 out of 400) in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) to qualify.
This decision follows the reversal of a controversial 18-year age requirement introduced by former Education Minister Tahir Mamman.
Current Minister Olatunji Alausa reinstated the original 16-year benchmark, aligning with widespread stakeholder support for balancing age restrictions with opportunities for gifted learners.
During a meeting with education stakeholders – including Chief External Examiners and technical advisors – JAMB Registrar Prof. Ishaq Oloyede clarified the policy.
He emphasized compliance with legal standards while acknowledging rare exceptions.
“Biological age is linked to intellectual growth, and while rules exist, there must be room for exceptions,” Oloyede said, according to a transcript published in JAMB’s official bulletin.
Minister Alausa affirmed that 16 remains the standard admission age. However, Prof. Oloyede highlighted the need to identify and nurture gifted children.
“These individuals should not be overlooked. We must allow them to sit for exams if they prove their capabilities,” he added.
To qualify, underage candidates must excel in multiple assessments, including the UTME, West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), post-UTME screenings, and General Certificate of Education (GCE) O/Level exams.
For instance, a 15-year-old scoring 320/400 in the UTME would be deemed academically exceptional and eligible for consideration.
Despite these provisions, Oloyede expressed concerns about private universities admitting underprepared minors. He noted that up to 80% of underage students in such institutions eventually switch programs due to academic struggles.
He believed this statistic underscores the risks of prioritizing age over holistic readiness.
The registrar also criticized parents who manipulate birth records to secure early admission for their children, only to later alter documents for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) eligibility. Such practices compromise institutional integrity and harm students’ long-term prospects.
In response, JAMB introduced a mock UTME for candidates under 16, scheduled for February 23, 2025. This exam is not a gateway to tertiary admission but a tool for underage students to assess their preparedness.
Regular UTME registration begins on January 31, with the main exam set for March 8.
By balancing strict age policies with flexibility for exceptional cases, JAMB aims to uphold educational standards while fostering talent.
As Prof. Oloyede reiterated, “Rules must exist, but so must exceptions for those who truly deserve them.”