The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, has announced that exceptionally gifted students below the age of 16 can now register for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) under a newly introduced “Exceptionally Brilliant Window.”
Speaking on Channels Television’s Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, Oloyede emphasized that while 16 remains the minimum entry age for tertiary institutions, JAMB recognizes the existence of rare, highly talented students who may qualify for early admission.
“In Nigeria, we have many brilliant students. While we are enforcing the 16-year minimum, we acknowledge that a few exceptional cases exist. If you believe you are exceptional, you can apply under this special category,” he stated.
Oloyede also expressed concern over a growing trend where parents manipulate their children’s ages to fast-track their education. He revealed that within a few days of registration, over 2,000 candidates, some as young as 10, 11, and 12, had applied through questionable means.
“Parents are falsifying birth records and affidavits just to push their children ahead. It is unfortunate that some are doing this just to boast about their children’s early achievements,” he added.
This development follows the Minister of Education’s recent decision to reverse the 18-year admission benchmark, reinstating 16 as the official minimum entry age, with provisions for exceptionally gifted students.