JAMB Lists Strict Conditions for Screening Under-16 UTME Candidates

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released new guidelines for the screening of exceptional Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) candidates who are under the age of 16 for the 2025/2026 admission cycle.

According to the Board, only outstanding underage candidates will be considered, and they must meet all of the following criteria:

• UTME score: Minimum of 320 out of 400 (80%).
• Post-UTME score: At least 80%.
• WAEC or NECO results: At least 80% in a single sitting, equivalent to 24 out of 30 points.
• Subject requirements: Science candidates must include Mathematics among their top subjects, while Arts candidates must include English.

These measures were announced by JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, during a virtual meeting with Vice-Chancellors and Heads of Admissions held on Wednesday in Abuja.

Why the Policy Was Introduced

The decision follows the Federal Government’s policy to peg the official minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions at 16 years. While exceptions will be made for high-performing candidates under 16, the policy aims to ensure that younger students are not only academically qualified but also psychologically and emotionally prepared for university life.

Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who presented the policy at the 2025 JAMB policy meeting, emphasized that the new standard balances academic brilliance with cognitive maturity, curbing the growing trend of underage students in Nigerian universities.

Prof. Oloyede also made it clear that the policy is not about blanket disqualification based on age:

“We are not saying no child under 16 will be admitted, but they must pass through a rigorous screening process that confirms they are truly gifted. This policy is not just about age; it’s about maturity, capacity, and long-term well-being,” he said.

No Combination of Results Allowed

The JAMB Registrar stressed that candidates in this category cannot combine results from different exam bodies, such as mixing WAEC and NECO results. Only results from one examination sitting will be accepted.

Furthermore, all under-16 applicants will undergo a dedicated post-UTME, even if their preferred institution has suspended the process for the general admission population. This ensures uniform assessment across all eligible candidates.

National Committee on Underage Admission

To implement this policy, JAMB has set up a 23-member National Committee on Underage Admission, chaired by Prof. Oloyede. The committee will oversee candidate screening in Abuja, Lagos, and Owerri.

In addition to academic checks, the Board has introduced a fourth assessment layer focusing on affective and psychomotor skills to evaluate candidates emotional and psychological readiness.

A subcommittee of education experts, led by Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, former Minister of Sports and a renowned authority in special education, has been tasked with designing a screening template. The framework must be submitted within one week, after which the actual screening will commence in the three designated cities.

JAMB Sets Mid-September Timeline for Screening of Exceptional Under-16 UTME Candidates

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that the screening process for exceptional under-16 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) candidates will conclude by mid-September 2025.

According to Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, the final list of qualified candidates out of the 599 who met the initial academic requirements will be released before the deadline. These candidates will then undergo an additional stage called the school search, in which they must score at least 80% to proceed.

Rigorous Multi-Layered Screening Process

Prof. Oloyede explained that all eligible under-16 candidates will be required to write a dedicated post-UTME, separate from the general admissions process. Participating institutions must submit the post-UTME scores to JAMB by September 16, and any candidate scoring below 80% will be disqualified automatically.

A panel of experts will then conduct the final evaluation in Abuja, Lagos, and Owerri. The Registrar urged parents not to pressure their children into early university admission, emphasizing the need for both academic excellence and emotional maturity.

“Parents, we are more afraid of you than even the young ones themselves. We must allow these children to mature, or to show what they are truly made of,” Oloyede said.

Only 599 Out of 38,000 Underage Applicants Qualify

Oloyede revealed that out of over 38,000 underage UTME candidates who applied for admission in 2025, only 599 scored 320 and above, qualifying them for possible waiver consideration. Even these top scorers are not guaranteed admission unless they pass all layers of the screening system.

As part of the new policy, JAMB has removed all under-16 candidates from its Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS). Any institution wishing to admit an underage student must first obtain JAMB’s approval or risk sanctions.

Universities That Will Not Admit Underage Candidates

The Registrar disclosed that at least four universities have formally stated they will not admit under-16 students under any circumstances. These are:

• Air Force Institute of Technology, Kaduna
• Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi
• University of Jos
• Osun State University

He advised underage candidates who are still in contention to choose alternative institutions that are open to admitting JAMB-cleared exceptional applicants.

ALSO READ: 

How to Generate JAMB Profile Code 2026: Easy Step by Step Guide

JAMB Result Upload 2025 Portal Closed? Here Is Everything You Need to Know

WAEC GCE Timetable 2025 for 2nd Series CBT

Why Underage Applications Are on the Rise

Prof. Oloyede attributed the increasing number of underage applicants to policy gaps and cultural pressures. Contributing factors include:

• Early enrollment in primary school.
• Elimination of Primary Six in many states.
• The spread of “miracle” tutorial centres that push students prematurely through exams.
• Parents seeking social validation by accelerating their children’s education.

“Many parents use their children’s academic progression to boost their own image in society. It’s a toxic culture that sacrifices the child’s psychological development,” Oloyede said.

Protecting the Future of Nigerian Students

The JAMB boss appealed to all tertiary institutions to support the policy, stressing that the ultimate goal is to protect students and maintain academic integrity in Nigeria’s higher education system.

“This is not about JAMB. It is about the future of our children and the integrity of our education system,” he added.