JAMB has strict conditions to apply for applicants under the age of 16.
Nigeria News Nalin The Joint Admissions and Admissions Committee (JAMB) said outstanding candidates under the age of 16 may receive exemptions if they score 80% of the four prescribed exams.
Professor Is-Haq Oloyede, JAMB’s Registrar, announced the policy at a meeting with key stakeholders, aimed at preparing for the unified Level 3 Entrance Examination (UTME) registration exercise in 2025, reviewed past performances, and Resolved concerns about the upcoming exam.
During the discussion, Oloyd stressed that the national minimum age is still 16 years old, meaning that no candidate under age as of September 2025 will be considered enrolled.
The Registrar acknowledged that, although the average minimum age is 16, gifted children should not be ignored. He outlines the criteria for identifying such candidates.
“Now, the problem is to identify them. If you’re under 16, you’re looking at so many standards and you’re great. First of all, your record should show that you’re great.
For example, if you take UTME as an example and there are 200 out of 400 points, how do you call yourself an outstanding candidate? But if you score 80%, give us a signal, “Oh, this guy is really great,” He said.
“They have to be excellent, not through simple words but all the consequences so that in UTME, WAEC, UTME or GCE O/Level he has to score at least 80%.e added.
JAMB’s reason for age requirements
Oloyede defended the policy, emphasizing that age is related to maturity and legal requirements. He believes that just as leadership positions have age restrictions, age must be considered to ensure readiness.
“It’s about complying with the law; age has a lot to do with maturity in terms of your work. Age cannot be discarded. Otherwise, you wouldn’t stipulate that you must reach a certain age, even children of 5 or 10 years can aspire to the position before becoming the chairman of the local government.
“The biological age has a lot to do with the development of intelligence. There are many things that have been said, but there are exceptions to this rule, and you have to allow such exceptions,” He said
Oloyede stressed that any special candidate must perform well in multiple assessments.
Given that the total score of UTME is 400 points, 80% of the score is 320 points.
Admission to minors in private schools
The Registrar also expressed concern about the trend of private universities recognizing candidates for minors, noting that many of them struggled academically and were later transferred to other programs.
“In most cases, 80% of their intakes end up migrating to other programs due to poor status.” He said
Additionally, Oloyede criticized parents for changing the age of their children for admission purposes, and then again adjusted it to a mandatory National Youth Services Corps (NYSC) program.
“The board is not unaware of these keen practices that change the age of the ward for admission, and after graduation they apply to reduce the same age so that their wards can receive one year of mandatory service to the National Youth Service Team (NYSC)
