JAMB sets tougher rules for underage admission into Nigerian varsities
By Uji A Iliyasu, Abuja
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has unveiled strict new guidelines for the screening of underage candidates—those below 16 years old—seeking admission into Nigerian universities for the 2025/2026 academic session.
The JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, announced the measures during a virtual meeting with vice-chancellors and heads of admissions on Wednesday in Abuja. He described the increasing admission of psychologically unprepared minors into tertiary institutions as “academic abuse” and vowed that the Board would no longer tolerate it.
The decision aligns with a recent policy introduced by the Federal Government, which reaffirms 16 as the official minimum age for university admission in Nigeria. However, it allows for rare exceptions in cases of demonstrated academic brilliance.
Speaking at the 2025 JAMB Policy Meeting, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, said the policy is designed to balance cognitive maturity and academic ability, and to halt the growing number of underage students in universities.
Professor Oloyede stressed that only under-16 candidates who are “truly exceptional” will be considered, and even then, only through a rigorous multi-layered screening process. He outlined three key academic requirements: a minimum UTME score of 320 (80%), a post-UTME score of at least 80%, and 80% in a single sitting of WAEC or NECO—equivalent to 24 out of 30 points.
Additionally, candidates must not combine results from different examination bodies (e.g. WAEC and NECO). Science students must present Mathematics among their top subjects, while Arts students must include English.
“Let us be clear—we are not banning underage candidates outright. But to be considered, they must meet stringent academic and psychological criteria. This is not just about intelligence, but also emotional maturity and long-term well-being,” said Oloyede.
He further directed universities to conduct a separate post-UTME for these candidates, regardless of whether such exams had been suspended for the general admission pool. JAMB will collect and assess the results, forwarding only those who meet all benchmarks for final screening.
To ensure thorough vetting, JAMB has inaugurated a 23-member National Committee on Underage Admission, chaired by Prof. Oloyede, to conduct candidate screening in Abuja, Lagos, and Owerri. A fourth layer of assessment—focused on affective and psychomotor development—will be introduced to evaluate candidates’ emotional and psychological preparedness.
A special subcommittee led by Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, former Minister of Sports and a specialist in special education, is expected to design the screening framework within one week.
According to the Registrar, only 599 out of more than 38,000 underage candidates scored above 320 in the UTME, making them eligible for consideration. However, admission is not guaranteed without clearing all stages of the screening.
“These are the only candidates who even qualify for possible waiver. And they must still pass every stage, including an 80% score in school-specific assessments and post-UTME tests,” Oloyede added.
Institutions intending to admit such candidates must first seek formal approval from JAMB or face sanctions. Already, four universities—Air Force Institute of Technology, Kaduna; Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi; University of Jos; and Osun State University—have officially informed JAMB that they will not accept any underage applicants under any circumstance.
Affected candidates have been advised to explore other institutions open to admitting JAMB-cleared exceptional applicants.
Professor Oloyede blamed poor policy enforcement and societal pressures for the prevalence of underage university admission. He cited early school enrolment, elimination of Primary Six in many states, ‘miracle’ tutorial centres, and parental pressure for social recognition as major contributors.
“Many parents are chasing social validation through their children’s premature academic achievements. This culture is harmful and overlooks the child’s mental and emotional growth,” he noted.
The Registrar appealed for full cooperation from all institutions, emphasising that the new policy is designed to protect students and uphold academic integrity.
“This is not about JAMB—it is about securing the future of our children and preserving the credibility of our education system,” he concluded.