The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced stringent conditions for under-16 candidates seeking admission into Nigerian universities for the 2025/2026 academic session. According to JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, these rules aim to ensure that only academically exceptional students below 16 years are considered for admission, emphasising cognitive maturity and academic preparedness.
To qualify for consideration, under-16 candidates must meet specific academic benchmarks, including a minimum UTME score of 320 out of 400 (80%), a post-UTME score of at least 80%, and a minimum of 80% in a single sitting of WAEC or NECO, equivalent to 24 points out of 30. Additionally, science students must include mathematics in their top-scoring subjects, while arts students must include English.
All under-16 candidates will undergo a dedicated post-UTME screening, regardless of whether the institution has suspended the process for general admissions. A 23-member National Committee on Underage Admission, chaired by Prof. Oloyede, will oversee the screening process in Abuja, Lagos, and Owerri. The committee will assess candidates’ academic records, emotional, and psychological readiness.
A subcommittee led by Prof. Taoheed Adedoja will design a screening template to ensure candidates’ preparedness. This template will include a fourth layer of assessment that involves affective and psychomotor evaluations, areas previously overlooked in the admission process.
The implications of these new rules are significant. JAMB has removed all under-16 candidates from its Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS), and institutions willing to admit them must obtain JAMB’s approval or face sanctions. At least four universities, including the Air Force Institute of Technology, Kaduna; Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi; University of Jos; and Osun State University, have stated they will not admit underage candidates under any circumstances.
Prof. Oloyede emphasised that the goal is to protect students and safeguard academic standards, stating, “This policy is not just about age; it’s about maturity, capacity, and long-term well-being.” He also blamed poor policy implementation and cultural pressures for the prevalence of underage candidates, citing issues such as early enrollment in primary school and parents seeking social validation through their children’s premature academic milestones.
