By Elizabeth Godwin
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has introduced a new set of rigorous screening procedures for candidates under the age of 16 who score exceptionally high in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
This decision aligns with the federal government’s standing policy that sets 16 as the minimum age for admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions.
JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, announced the new measures during a virtual meeting with vice chancellors and heads of admissions across the country. He said the new system is intended to tackle what he described as “academic abuse”—a growing trend of pushing children into universities before they are emotionally or psychologically ready.
While reaffirming that the age threshold remains firmly at 16, Professor Oloyede noted that exceptions will now be extremely limited and strictly based on a combination of academic excellence and psychological maturity.
To qualify for special consideration, underage candidates must meet the following academic criteria:
- Score a minimum of 320 out of 400 in UTME (equivalent to 80%).
- Score at least 80% in a post-UTME screening.
- Achieve a minimum of 80% in a single sitting of WAEC or NECO, equivalent to 24 out of 30 points.
- Results must come from one examination body—mixing WAEC and NECO scores will not be accepted.
- For science candidates, mathematics must be among the top subjects, while arts candidates must have English among their highest scores.
Significantly, underage applicants will still be required to take part in a post-UTME screening, even if their prospective universities have suspended such assessments for the general admission process. JAMB will collect and review the results, forwarding only the candidates who meet all criteria to a new national screening committee.
To manage this process, JAMB has established a 23-member National Committee on Underage Admission, chaired by Professor Oloyede himself. The committee will be responsible for conducting screenings in Abuja, Lagos, and Owerri. Beyond academics, the committee will assess candidates’ emotional and psychological readiness to handle the pressures of tertiary education.
In a major policy shift, JAMB also announced the inclusion of affective and psychomotor evaluations—components that assess emotional intelligence, adaptability, and other non-cognitive skills. These dimensions had not previously featured in Nigeria’s tertiary admission framework.
A subcommittee, chaired by Professor Taoheed Adedoja, a former Minister of Sports and an expert in special education, has been tasked with developing a screening template for these new assessments. The framework is expected to be submitted within one week.
With this move, JAMB aims to strike a balance between rewarding academic brilliance and ensuring that young candidates are holistically prepared for the challenges of university life.
