The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that candidates under the age of 16 can be considered for admission into tertiary institutions if they demonstrate exceptional academic ability by scoring at least 80% (320 out of 400) in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
This follows the recent 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 previous benchmark of 16 years, a decision that has been widely welcomed by education stakeholders.
Exception for Gifted Students
Speaking during a meeting with key education stakeholders, including Chief External Examiners, Chief Technical Advisors, and the Equal Opportunity Group, JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, clarified that while 16 remains the standard minimum age, exceptional students younger than 16 could be granted admission under strict conditions.
“This is about complying with the law. Age plays a crucial role in maturity and academic development, just as it does in leadership positions. While we recognize that some gifted children exist, they should not be denied opportunities. If a candidate scores 320 or more in UTME, they can be considered academically exceptional,” Oloyede said.
Concerns Over Underage Admissions
However, Oloyede raised concerns over private universities admitting underage students who struggle academically. He revealed that 80% of such students eventually switch to other programs due to poor performance.
He also condemned the manipulation of birth records by parents trying to secure early university admission for their children, only to later seek age adjustments for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) eligibility.
Mock UTME for Underage Candidates
JAMB has introduced a mock UTME for candidates below 16, allowing them to assess their readiness before writing the actual exam. This initiative is meant to test their ability rather than guarantee admission.
The 2025 UTME registration is set to run from January 31 to March 5, with the mock exam scheduled for February 23 and the main UTME on March 8.
This new policy aims to balance merit with fairness, ensuring that gifted students get a chance while maintaining academic standards.
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