The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has introduced a strict admission requirement for candidates under the age of 16, mandating that they must score at least 320 out of 400 (80%) in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) to be considered for admission into tertiary institutions.
This policy comes after the Federal Ministry of Education reversed the previous 18-year minimum admission age, reinstating the standard 16-year benchmark. However, JAMB has now created an exception for academically gifted candidates below 16, provided they achieve the new high-score requirement.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, made this announcement during a meeting with education stakeholders, emphasizing that while 16 remains the official age for university admission, underage students must prove exceptional academic ability to qualify.
“If a candidate under 16 scores 200 or 250 in the UTME, can they truly be called exceptional? No. However, if they score 320 and above, that demonstrates remarkable academic ability, and they may be considered,” Oloyede stated.
He also highlighted the importance of performing well in other examinations, including the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), Post-UTME, and General Certificate of Education (GCE) O/Level.
Furthermore, the JAMB boss expressed concerns over private universities admitting underage candidates who often struggle academically. According to him, up to 80% of such students eventually switch courses due to poor performance.
In an effort to assess young candidates’ readiness, JAMB has introduced a mock UTME specifically for underage students. However, Oloyede clarified that this mock exam is not for immediate university admission but serves as a self-evaluation tool.
“The sale of UTME forms begins on January 31 and ends on March 5. A mock UTME will be conducted on February 23, while the main UTME is scheduled for March 8,” he announced.