The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has unveiled a new set of rigorous screening procedures for exceptionally high-performing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) candidates who are under the age of 16.
The move follows the enforcement of a federal education policy which sets the minimum age for admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions at 16 years, with few tightly controlled exceptions.
The development was announced by JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, during a virtual policy meeting with vice chancellors and heads of admission offices across Nigeria.
According to him, the new procedure is aimed at curbing what he described as “academic abuse” — the trend of forcing emotionally and psychologically immature children into the university system.
While reaffirming that the age limit remains 16, Oloyede noted that exceptions would only be made for underage candidates who demonstrate outstanding academic performance and emotional readiness.
“The goal is not to deny any child an opportunity, but to ensure that only those who are academically, emotionally, and psychologically prepared are allowed into the rigours of tertiary education,” he said.
Under the new policy, underage candidates must satisfy all of the following academic conditions to be considered:Minimum UTME score of 320 out of 400 (80%); Post-UTME score of at least 80%; Minimum 80% in a single sitting of WAEC or NECO (equivalent to 24 out of 30 points). No combination of examination results (e.g., WAEC + NECO not allowed)
For science candidates, Mathematics must be one of the top-scoring subjects, while for arts candidates, English Language must be among the best performances.
Even in institutions that have suspended general Post-UTME screenings, the registrar insisted that a dedicated Post-UTME screening remains compulsory for all underage applicants.
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Institutions are expected to conduct this process separately and forward the results to JAMB, which will compile and shortlist qualified candidates for the next stage.
To implement the new process, JAMB has established a 23-member National Committee on Underage Admission, headed by Professor Oloyede.
The committee will coordinate screenings in Abuja, Lagos, and Owerri, and will also assess candidates’ emotional and psychological preparedness for university education.
This will be the first time JAMB incorporates affective and psychomotor evaluations — two key components of educational development that were previously excluded from Nigeria’s tertiary admission process.
To develop this fourth layer of screening, JAMB has commissioned a subcommittee led by Professor Taoheed Adedoja, a former Minister of Sports and an expert in special education.
The team has been tasked with designing a screening template for non-academic traits, which is expected to be completed and submitted within one week.
According to JAMB, this expanded framework is a strategic move to align Nigeria’s higher education admission process with global best practices, ensuring that university entrants are not just academically brilliant but holistically prepared.
This development is expected to tighten the pathway for gifted underage candidates, reinforcing the 16-year age benchmark as a firm standard while offering a narrow but well-defined route for exceptions.
The policy has already sparked discussions among education stakeholders, with some praising the board for its attention to child development and others raising concerns about accessibility for precocious learners.