JAMB has set strict conditions for under-16 UTME Candidates seeking university admission for 2025/2026 academic session.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has introduced stringent screening guidelines for candidates under the age of 16 seeking admission into Nigerian universities in the 2025/2026 academic session.
The move comes amid growing concerns about the psychological and emotional readiness of underage students entering university. The JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, announced the policy shift during a virtual meeting with vice chancellors and heads of admissions on Wednesday.
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Age Limit Remains 16, With Limited Waivers
While reiterating the minimum admission age of 16, as approved by the Federal Ministry of Education, Oloyede said that only exceptionally gifted candidates under 16 will be considered for waiver—subject to a rigorous multi-layered screening process.
“We are not saying no child under 16 will be admitted, but they must pass through a rigorous process that confirms they are truly gifted. This policy is about maturity, capacity, and long-term wellbeing,” Oloyede stated.
New Screening Criteria for Underage Candidates
To be eligible for consideration, under-16 candidates must meet all of the following academic benchmarks:
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Minimum UTME score of 320 out of 400 (80%)
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Post-UTME score of at least 80%
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At least 80% in WAEC or NECO in a single sitting (no mixed results), equivalent to 24 out of 30 points
Science students must include mathematics, and arts students must include English in their top subjects.
Psychological Screening and National Committee Setup
JAMB also unveiled a fourth assessment layer, involving affective and psychomotor evaluations, to assess the emotional and psychological maturity of candidates—areas previously overlooked in the admission process.
A 23-member National Committee on Underage Admission, chaired by Oloyede, has been inaugurated to oversee the screening. The psychometric screening framework is being developed by a subcommittee led by Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, former Minister of Sports and an expert in special education.
The final screening will be conducted in Abuja, Lagos, and Owerri, between now and mid-September.
599 Underage Candidates Meet Cutoff, But No Guarantee Yet
Out of over 38,000 underage applicants, only 599 candidates scored above the required 320 in UTME, qualifying them for further evaluation. JAMB emphasized that these candidates are not automatically admitted and must still clear all screening stages.
“They will write a dedicated post-UTME. Anyone scoring below 80% is automatically disqualified,” Oloyede clarified.
CAPS Deactivation and Institutional Autonomy
JAMB has already removed all under-16 candidates from its Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS). Institutions that wish to admit such candidates must seek express approval from JAMB or face regulatory sanctions.
At least four universities have officially written to JAMB declining to admit underage candidates:
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Air Force Institute of Technology, Kaduna
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Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi
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University of Jos
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Osun State University
Affected candidates have been advised to select alternative institutions open to admitting JAMB-cleared exceptional students.
Oloyede Blames Cultural Pressure, Poor Policy Compliance
Oloyede attributed the prevalence of underage applicants to:
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Early primary school enrolment
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Elimination of Primary Six in some states
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Miracle tutorial centres
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Parental social pressure and status-seeking
“Many parents use their children’s academic achievements as social trophies. It’s a toxic culture that sacrifices the child’s emotional development,” he said.
He urged institutions and parents to prioritize student welfare over societal expectations.
“This policy is not just about JAMB—it’s about the future of our children and the integrity of our education system,” Oloyede concluded.
