JAMB Announces Strict Rules For Underage UTME Candidates скачать в хорошем качестве

JAMB Announces Strict Rules For Underage UTME Candidates

Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has disclosed the implementation of strict screening procedures for exceptional candidates under the age of 16 seeking admission into tertiary institutions in the 2025/2026 academic session. JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, made this known during a virtual meeting with vice chancellors and heads of admissions in Abuja, emphasising the Board would no longer tolerate academic abuse of pushing psychologically and emotionally unprepared children into the rigours of university life. This comes following the government’s policy, which pegged the official minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions at 16 years, with exceptions for high-performing candidates under the age.   While reaffirming 16 years as the minimum entry age for tertiary education, Prof. Oloyede said underage candidates would only be considered on clearly proven grounds of exceptional academic brilliance. He highlighted that qualification for consideration, under-16 candidates must meet three academic criteria, namely: 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, amounting to 24 points out of 30. The JAMB Registrar also outlawed the combination of results from two different exam bodies, such as mixing WAEC and NECO results for such a category of candidates, adding that science students must include mathematics in their top subjects, while arts students must include English. He charged relevant institutions to assess all under-16 candidates through a dedicated post-UTME, even if the school has suspended such a process for the general admission population, stating that JAMB will collate the academic records and forward only those who meet all benchmarks for further screening. Don't miss out on inspiring updates; subscribe to our channel and hit the bell icon.