JAMB To Screen 599 Underage Candidates For 2025/2026 Admission
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Posted 2 months ago at 8:47 pm on Wednesday, August 13, 2025 by Admin
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that it will screen 599 candidates below the age of 16 for possible admission into tertiary institutions for the 2025/2026 academic session.
The screening exercise will take place from September 22 to 26, 2025 at three designated venues:
- Lagos – 397 candidates
- Owerri – 136 candidates
- Abuja – 66 candidates
Background
Out of the 41,027 underage candidates who sat for the 2025 UTME, more than 40,000 did not meet the initial requirements. The 599 shortlisted candidates all scored above 300 in UTME but fell below the official admission age of 16 years.
The Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, explained that the exercise is meant to ensure only academically exceptional and mentally prepared underage candidates are admitted. He noted that the approach is similar to practices in other parts of the world.
Screening Process
A subcommittee led by Prof. Taoheed Adedoja outlined that the assessment will involve:
- Subject-specific written tests
- Oral interviews
- Verification of WAEC/NECO results to confirm eligibility
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for admission, candidates must:
- Score at least 320 in UTME (80%)
- Score a minimum of 80% in post-UTME
- Achieve at least 80% (24/30 points) in one sitting of WAEC or NECO
Policy and Institutional Stance
The policy is in line with the Ministry of Education’s directive setting 16 years as the minimum admission age for tertiary institutions. It aims to:
- Balance academic excellence with cognitive maturity
- Prevent age falsification
- Protect young candidates from undue pressure
Four universities — Air Force Institute of Technology (Kaduna), Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (Bauchi), University of Jos, and Osun State University — have already stated they will not admit underage candidates under any circumstances.
Conclusion
JAMB says this initiative will ensure that only truly prepared underage candidates proceed into higher education while maintaining academic and psychological standards.
The screening exercise will take place from September 22 to 26, 2025 at three designated venues:
- Lagos – 397 candidates
- Owerri – 136 candidates
- Abuja – 66 candidates
Background
Out of the 41,027 underage candidates who sat for the 2025 UTME, more than 40,000 did not meet the initial requirements. The 599 shortlisted candidates all scored above 300 in UTME but fell below the official admission age of 16 years.
The Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, explained that the exercise is meant to ensure only academically exceptional and mentally prepared underage candidates are admitted. He noted that the approach is similar to practices in other parts of the world.
Screening Process
A subcommittee led by Prof. Taoheed Adedoja outlined that the assessment will involve:
- Subject-specific written tests
- Oral interviews
- Verification of WAEC/NECO results to confirm eligibility
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for admission, candidates must:
- Score at least 320 in UTME (80%)
- Score a minimum of 80% in post-UTME
- Achieve at least 80% (24/30 points) in one sitting of WAEC or NECO
Policy and Institutional Stance
The policy is in line with the Ministry of Education’s directive setting 16 years as the minimum admission age for tertiary institutions. It aims to:
- Balance academic excellence with cognitive maturity
- Prevent age falsification
- Protect young candidates from undue pressure
Four universities — Air Force Institute of Technology (Kaduna), Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (Bauchi), University of Jos, and Osun State University — have already stated they will not admit underage candidates under any circumstances.
Conclusion
JAMB says this initiative will ensure that only truly prepared underage candidates proceed into higher education while maintaining academic and psychological standards.