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JAMB to Screen 500 Underaged Candidates for 2025/2026 Admission |
JAMB begins screening 500 underaged candidates for the 2025/2026 admission session. Learn about eligibility, requirements, and screening centers.
JAMB Commences Screening for Underaged Admission Seekers
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that it will begin screening 500 outstanding underaged candidates on Monday, September 22, 2025, for the 2025/2026 academic session. The exercise, scheduled to last one week, will end on Friday, September 26, 2025.
The screening will be supervised by a special technical committee and conducted at three designated centers across Nigeria: Lagos, Abuja, and Owerri.
This move comes as part of JAMB’s ongoing efforts to regulate tertiary education admissions while ensuring that only the most qualified candidates under 16 are considered.
Why JAMB Is Screening Underaged Candidates
In the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), a total of 41,027 candidates under 16 years of age sat for the exam. However, JAMB revealed that over 40,000 failed to meet the strict criteria set for admission.
The decision to screen the remaining 500 exceptional candidates reflects JAMB’s alignment with international academic standards. According to JAMB, the initiative also aims to:
- Balance academic excellence with psychological maturity.
- Prevent age falsification, which has become a common issue among admission seekers.
- Protect minors from undue academic and parental pressure.
Admission Requirements for Underaged JAMB Candidates
For candidates to qualify for this rare opportunity, JAMB set stringent eligibility criteria. Applicants must meet the following:
- A minimum UTME score of 320.
- At least 80% in post-UTME.
- A minimum of 80% in WAEC or NECO results at one sitting.
These requirements ensure that only academically outstanding candidates who demonstrate exceptional ability across different levels of assessment will be admitted.
Ministry of Education’s Policy on Admission Age
The Federal Ministry of Education has mandated 16 years as the minimum admission age into Nigerian higher institutions. This policy was introduced to safeguard the academic system while promoting fairness and maturity among students.
JAMB emphasized that this screening exercise does not mean a change in the policy. Instead, it is an exceptional measure designed to reward brilliance while maintaining educational integrity.
For more insights into JAMB’s admission policies, you can visit the official JAMB website.
Why This Matters for Nigeria’s Education Sector
This development is significant because it highlights Nigeria’s move toward international best practices in education. By enforcing strict admission requirements and maintaining age policies, JAMB is ensuring that:
- Young talents are recognized without compromising their mental and emotional development.
- Institutions maintain global competitiveness.
- Parents are discouraged from pressuring minors into early admission.
For further context on international admission standards, check resources such as UNESCO’s education policy guidelines.
What to Expect After the Screening
Candidates who pass the underaged screening exercise will be considered for admission into Nigeria’s top tertiary institutions. However, those who do not meet the requirements may need to wait until they reach the required age of 16 before reapplying.
This ensures a balance between rewarding academic talent and protecting the long-term interests of young learners.
The JAMB underaged admission screening 2025 is a bold step toward improving Nigeria’s education standards while safeguarding students’ overall well-being. By limiting admission to only the most outstanding candidates, JAMB is sending a strong message that excellence, maturity, and fairness remain at the core of Nigeria’s higher education system.
If you’re preparing for UTME or post-UTME, stay updated on admission news through the official JAMB portal.
Stay informed about JAMB admission updates, underaged candidate policies, and higher education reforms by following reliable sources and bookmarking the official JAMB site.
