JAMB announces new admission criteria for underage candidates

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that candidates below the age of 16 can now gain admission into tertiary institutions, provided they score at least 320 out of 400 in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

This development follows the recent decision by the Federal Ministry of Education to reinstate 16 years as the minimum age for university admission, reversing an earlier policy that set the threshold at 18.

JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, clarified that while 16 remains the general admission requirement, exceptional candidates who demonstrate outstanding academic abilities will be considered under strict conditions. These students must excel in multiple assessments, including the UTME, West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), Post-UTME, and General Certificate Examination (GCE O/Level).

JAMB also raised concerns over the trend of private universities admitting underage students who later struggle academically. To properly evaluate younger candidates, the examination board has introduced a mock UTME, scheduled for February 23, 2025.

Meanwhile, the main UTME is set to take place on March 8, following the sale of application forms from January 31 to March 5.