The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released stringent new guidelines for candidates below the age of 16 seeking admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions for the 2025/2026 academic session.
In a virtual meeting held on Wednesday with Vice-Chancellors and Heads of Admissions, JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, emphasized that while the Federal Government maintains 16 as the official minimum age for admission, exceptional underage candidates may be considered—if they meet rigorous academic and psychological standards.
“We’re not banning under-16 admissions outright. But only those who demonstrate exceptional ability and maturity will be considered,” Oloyede said. “This policy is about protecting young minds—not just academic performance, but psychological readiness too.”
New Admission Requirements for Underage Candidates
To qualify for consideration, under-16 applicants must now meet the following criteria:
- Minimum UTME score: 320 out of 400 (80%)
- Post-UTME score: At least 80%
- WAEC/NECO score: Minimum of 80% in a single sitting (equivalent to 24 out of 30 points)
In addition, candidates must not combine results from multiple examination bodies. Science applicants must have Mathematics among their top subjects, while arts candidates must include English.
Even universities that no longer require post-UTME for the general pool of applicants must conduct dedicated screening for underage candidates, Oloyede said.
National Committee to Oversee Screening
To implement the new policy, JAMB has established a 23-member National Committee on Underage Admission, chaired by Prof. Oloyede. The committee will oversee a multi-stage screening process, which includes academic, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral assessments.
A subcommittee led by Prof. Taoheed Adedoja—a former Minister of Sports and a special education expert—has been tasked with developing a holistic framework to screen candidates’ cognitive, affective, and psychomotor maturity. The subcommittee is expected to submit its recommendations within a week.
“This goes beyond marks—we’re checking emotional maturity, behavioural readiness, and the ability to cope with the university environment,” Oloyede explained.
Only 599 of 38,000 Underage Candidates Qualify
Out of over 38,000 under-16 applicants who registered for this year’s Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), only 599 candidates scored 320 or above and are eligible to proceed to the next stage of evaluation.
JAMB has instructed institutions to submit the post-UTME scores of these candidates by September 16. Anyone scoring below 80% will be automatically disqualified from further consideration.
Meanwhile, several universities have opted out of admitting underage students altogether. These include:
- Air Force Institute of Technology, Kaduna
- Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi
- University of Jos
- Osun State University
Other institutions intending to admit underage candidates must seek special clearance from JAMB, or risk facing sanctions.
Warning to Parents: Stop the Academic Race
Prof. Oloyede also used the occasion to address growing concerns about what he described as “academic abuse” by parents eager to accelerate their children’s educational progress.
He cited systemic issues like early primary school enrollment, removal of Primary Six in many states, and the rise of unregulated tutorial centers as contributing factors to the trend of underage applicants.
“Too many parents are obsessed with using their children’s education as a trophy. This culture sacrifices proper development for prestige. It must stop,” he warned.
CAPS Update and Final Screening
JAMB has already removed all underage candidates from its Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) pending the outcome of the screening process. Only those who successfully pass every layer of evaluation will be eligible for final admission consideration.
“This isn’t just about JAMB—it’s about safeguarding the future of Nigerian children and restoring sanity to our academic institutions,” Oloyede concluded.