Age No Longer a Barrier: JAMB Unveils New Policy for Exceptional Under-16 Candidates

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced a policy adjustment allowing candidates under the age of 16 to be considered for tertiary institution admissions, provided they achieve an exceptional score of at least 80% in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). This equates to a minimum score of 320 out of 400.

This decision 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, has reinstated the previous age requirement of 16, a move that has been widely welcomed by education stakeholders.

JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, emphasized that while the standard admission age remains 16, exceptions will be made for gifted students who demonstrate outstanding academic performance. He stated, “Age plays a crucial role in maturity and academic development. However, we acknowledge that some gifted children exist. These individuals should not be overlooked. We must identify them and allow them to sit for the exams.”

To qualify for this exception, underage candidates must exhibit exceptional academic prowess across multiple assessments, including the UTME, West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), Post-UTME, and General Certificate Examination (GCE) O/Level. Prof. Oloyede clarified, “If a candidate under 16 scores 200 out of 400 in the UTME, can they truly be considered exceptional? However, if they achieve 80% (320/400), that signals exceptional ability and warrants consideration.”

The Registrar also expressed concerns regarding the admission of underage students, particularly in private universities, noting that many of these candidates struggle academically. He revealed that as many as 80% of such students eventually transfer to other programs due to poor performance. Additionally, Prof. Oloyede condemned the manipulation of birth records by parents seeking early admission for their wards, only to later attempt to alter their ages for eligibility in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program.

This policy shift underscores JAMB’s commitment to recognizing and nurturing exceptional talent while maintaining academic standards and integrity within Nigeria’s tertiary education system.