The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) will on Monday commence screening of over 500 exceptional candidates below 16 years of age who are seeking admission into tertiary institutions for the 2025/2026 academic session.
The exercise, to be coordinated by a special technical committee, will run until Friday, September 26, with Lagos, Abuja, and Owerri selected as screening centres. According to JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, Lagos will host 397 candidates, Owerri 136, and Abuja 66.
Out of 41,027 underage candidates who sat for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), more than 40,000 did not qualify for further consideration. JAMB explained that the exercise is targeted at only the most exceptional candidates, insisting that the policy aligns with international standards. Candidates must score at least 320 in UTME, achieve 80% in post-UTME, and secure at least 80% in WAEC or NECO at a single sitting to be considered.
The subcommittee chaired by Prof. Taoheed Adedoja revealed that the assessment would include subject-based tests and oral interviews, while WAEC results of shortlisted candidates would also be verified.
The screening follows the Ministry of Education’s policy that sets 16 years as the minimum admission age for higher institutions. JAMB said the measure will help balance academic excellence with psychological readiness, discourage age falsification, and protect minors from undue parental pressure.