The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that candidates under the age of 16 may be considered for admission into tertiary institutions if they demonstrate exceptional academic performance, with a minimum score of 320 (80%) in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). Given that the total UTME score is 400, 320 represents 80% of the total possible score.
This update comes after the recent reversal of the 18-year mandatory admission age requirement, previously introduced by former Minister of Education Tahir Mamman. The current Minister of Education, Olatunji Alausa, reinstated the previous minimum admission age of 16, a move widely supported by educational stakeholders.
During a recent meeting with key stakeholders, including Chief External Examiners, Chief Technical Advisors, and members of the Equal Opportunity Group, JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, explained that while the 16-year age requirement remains the standard, exceptions could be made for exceptionally gifted candidates under 16, provided they meet strict academic criteria.
A transcript of the meeting, published in JAMB’s bulletin, quoted Prof. Oloyede stating: “This is about complying with the law. Age plays a crucial role in maturity and academic development. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have age limits for leadership positions such as local government chairmen. Biological age is linked to intellectual growth, and while rules exist, there must be room for exceptions.”
“The Minister of Education has clearly stated that the minimum age for admission remains 16. 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,” Oloyede added.
He further clarified that exceptional students must show outstanding academic abilities through multiple assessments, including the UTME, WASSCE, Post-UTME, and GCE O/Level. “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,” he said.
Prof. Oloyede also expressed concerns about the role of private universities admitting underage students, noting that many of these candidates struggle academically, with up to 80% eventually transferring to other programmes due to poor performance.
Additionally, he condemned the manipulation of birth records by parents seeking early admission for their children, only to later attempt to alter their ages for eligibility in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme.
Recently, in Lagos, the JAMB Registrar revealed that the exam body had introduced a mock UTME for underage candidates. Oloyede explained that the mock exam is not intended for admission to tertiary institutions but as a way for underage students to test their abilities.
“We are starting the sale of forms on the 31st of January till 5th of March. There will be a mock exam on the 23rd of February, and the main UTME will take place on the 8th of March,” said Prof. Oloyede.
