JAMB Releases Criteria for Underage Admission, to Screen 599 Exceptional Candidates in 2025
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JAMB Releases Criteria for Underage Admission |
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially unveiled its criteria for granting admission to underage but academically exceptional candidates into Nigerian tertiary institutions. This initiative is targeted at candidates below the age of 16 who demonstrated outstanding academic performance in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
According to JAMB’s latest announcement, a special screening exercise for the 2025/2026 academic session will take place from September 22 to September 26, 2025. This exercise will be conducted by a Technical Committee set up by the Board to assess candidates’ readiness for higher education despite being below the official minimum entry age.
Screening Venues and Distribution of Candidates
During a virtual stakeholders’ meeting on Wednesday, JAMB Registrar Prof. Ishaq Oloyede revealed that three centres have been designated for the screening:
- Lagos – 397 candidates
- Owerri – 136 candidates
- Abuja – 66 candidates
Prof. Oloyede noted that out of 41,027 underage candidates who participated in the 2025 UTME, over 40,000 failed to meet the first-stage requirements. Only 599 candidates scored above 300 in UTME and are now eligible for the special assessment.
Screening Criteria for Underage Admission
The screening process will consist of:
- Subject-Specific Written Tests – tailored to the candidate’s proposed field of study.
- Oral Interviews – to assess psychological readiness and maturity.
A subcommittee led by Prof. Taoheed Adedoja has also recommended that JAMB verify WAEC and NECO results for shortlisted candidates before the interviews. This step aims to ensure that all applicants genuinely meet the academic requirements.
Why JAMB Introduced the Policy
This policy aligns with the Federal Ministry of Education’s directive that sets 16 years as the minimum admission age for universities and other tertiary institutions.
However, JAMB’s approach ensures that only exceptionally gifted candidates who meet strict academic and maturity standards are considered for admission. This move is expected to:
- Prevent age falsification in school records.
- Protect young candidates from undue parental pressure.
- Ensure cognitive readiness for higher education.
- Balance academic brilliance with mental maturity.
Prof. Oloyede emphasized:
“People have been doing it in other parts of the world. We are not reinventing the wheel.”
Universities That Will Not Admit Underage Candidates
While JAMB is opening the door for exceptional students, some universities have stated that they will not admit underage candidates under any circumstances. These include:
- Air Force Institute of Technology, Kaduna
- Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi
- University of Jos
- Osun State University
These institutions have reaffirmed their commitment to the official minimum age requirement regardless of a candidate’s academic performance.
Eligibility Requirements for Underage Admission
To qualify for this exceptional admission pathway, candidates must meet all of the following:
- UTME Score: At least 320 out of 400 (80%).
- Post-UTME Score: Minimum of 80%.
- WAEC/NECO Result: At least 24 out of 30 points in a single sitting.
Candidates meeting these standards will then face the special screening before final consideration.
Conclusion
This new JAMB underage admission policy is not a relaxation of academic standards but a recognition of exceptional talent. By combining rigorous academic benchmarks with maturity assessments, JAMB aims to ensure that candidates admitted are both intellectually capable and emotionally prepared for the challenges of higher education.
For further information on admission guidelines, visit the official JAMB website. You can also check the WAEC official portal to verify your examination results before the screening date.
