JAMB Introduces Stricter Rules for Under-16 UTME Candidates

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has rolled out a new set of rigorous screening measures for underage candidates applying to Nigerian universities. This move is aimed at enforcing the minimum age requirement of 16 years for tertiary education while also providing a narrow path for exceptionally gifted students who have yet to reach that age threshold.

The decision, which was revealed during a virtual meeting with university vice chancellors and heads of admissions, was announced by JAMB’s Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede. According to him, the new policy is not intended to discourage academic excellence but to protect the overall wellbeing of students being pushed into the higher education system at a very young age.

In his words, “The pressure to get children into universities before they are mentally and emotionally ready is creating long-term challenges in the system. This measure is necessary to curb academic abuse and ensure that only those who are truly prepared are allowed to proceed.”

The Federal Government has long maintained that 16 is the minimum acceptable age for university admission in Nigeria. However, exceptions have sometimes been made for candidates with extraordinary academic results. Under the new policy, such exemptions will become far more selective, with strict benchmarks set for both academic performance and emotional readiness.

For any candidate under the age of 16 to be considered for university admission, they must now meet a stringent set of academic requirements. These include scoring at least 320 out of 400 in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), which translates to a minimum of 80 percent. In addition, they must achieve no less than 80 percent in the post-UTME screening process conducted by their preferred institution.

To further qualify, candidates must also secure at least 80 percent in a single sitting of either the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) or the National Examinations Council (NECO) results. This equates to a score of 24 out of a possible 30 points in JAMB’s internal ranking model. Importantly, applicants are not allowed to combine results from multiple exam bodies. For example, a mix of WAEC and NECO results will automatically disqualify the applicant.

JAMB is also placing subject-specific emphasis on performance. Candidates in the science stream must include mathematics among their highest-scoring subjects, while those in the arts are expected to score strongly in English.

While some universities have recently dropped the post-UTME requirement for general admissions, this exemption will not apply to underage candidates. All candidates under the age of 16 must go through a special post-UTME screening regardless of the university’s general policy. Professor Oloyede stressed that this process would be strictly enforced, adding that JAMB would be directly involved in collating results and forwarding only eligible candidates for further assessment.

To ensure transparency and consistency, JAMB has established a 23-member National Committee on Underage Admission, which will oversee the entire screening process. This committee is being led by Professor Oloyede himself and will conduct candidate evaluations in key cities including Abuja, Lagos, and Owerri. The goal is not only to assess academic achievement but also to determine emotional, social, and psychological readiness for the demands of university life.

In what marks a significant shift in how university admissions are handled, JAMB is now introducing a fourth dimension to the admission criteria. This includes affective and psychomotor evaluations—areas that have traditionally been overlooked in Nigeria’s academic system. These assessments are expected to measure qualities such as emotional maturity, critical thinking, adaptability, and communication skills.

To develop the tools for this new layer of evaluation, JAMB has appointed a subcommittee of experts led by Professor Taoheed Adedoja, a former Minister of Sports and a renowned scholar in special education. The subcommittee has been tasked with designing a screening framework that can effectively assess the psychological and behavioral readiness of underage candidates. According to the announcement, the committee is expected to submit its recommendations within one week.

Education stakeholders have responded with mixed feelings. Some see the new policy as a welcome intervention that will prevent the academic system from being overwhelmed by students who may be intellectually capable but emotionally unequipped for university challenges. Others, however, worry that the process could limit opportunities for gifted young learners who have traditionally been fast-tracked through the system.

Still, JAMB insists that the policy is not about shutting the door on brilliance, but rather about building a responsible structure around it. Professor Oloyede emphasized that the aim is to promote a balanced education system where maturity is considered alongside intellect. He added that universities have a duty of care to ensure students are not just academically eligible, but also developmentally ready to take on the challenges of tertiary education.

As the new framework begins to take shape, parents and educators across the country will be watching closely. Many believe this could signal the start of a more holistic approach to education in Nigeria, where emotional intelligence and mental readiness are given as much importance as academic scores.

Whether it proves successful or controversial, one thing is clear: JAMB is raising the bar for university entry, especially for underage candidates, and the new rules are set to redefine what it means to be “ready” for higher education in Nigeria.