JAMB sets tough new screening rules for under-16 UTME candidates seeking admission into Nigerian universities

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has introduced a stringent screening process for exceptionally high-performing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) candidates who are below the minimum admission age of 16.

This decision aligns with federal policy mandating 16 years as the minimum age for entry into Nigerian tertiary institutions. Only a select group of underage candidates demonstrating extraordinary academic brilliance and psychological maturity will be considered for admission.

Speaking during a virtual meeting with vice chancellors and admission heads in Abuja, JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, stressed that the move is aimed at curbing academic exploitation and preventing the premature exposure of emotionally unprepared children to university life.

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New Admission Requirements for Underage Candidates

Underage applicants seeking admission must meet the following rigorous academic benchmarks:

–        UTME Score: Minimum of 320 out of 400 (80%)

–        Post-UTME Score: At least 80%

–        WAEC/NECO: Minimum of 80% in a single sitting (equivalent to 24 out of 30 points)

–        Result Policy: No combination of results from different exam bodies (e.g., WAEC and NECO)

–        Subject-Specific Criteria: Mathematics must be among the top-scoring subjects for science students, and English for arts candidates.

–        Additionally, even in institutions where post-UTME has been suspended, underage applicants must undergo a dedicated post-UTME screening.

National Committee and Multi-Dimensional Evaluation

To enforce the new measures, JAMB has set up a 23-member National Committee on Underage Admission chaired by Professor Oloyede. The committee will conduct screenings in Abuja, Lagos, and Owerri, focusing not only on academics but also on emotional and psychological readiness.

In a significant policy shift, JAMB has introduced a fourth evaluation layer that includes affective and psychomotor assessments, marking a departure from the traditional reliance on cognitive performance alone.

A subcommittee led by Professor Taoheed Adedoja — a former Minister of Sports and specialist in special education — has been tasked with developing the framework for this enhanced evaluation model, expected to be delivered within one week.

Credit: Nairametrics