The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced stringent conditions for considering under-16 candidates for the 2025/2026 tertiary admission cycle.
To qualify, candidates below 16 must score at least 320 out of 400 in UTME, secure 80% in post-UTME, and achieve a minimum of 80% (24 out of 30 points) in either WAEC or NECO in a single sitting. Combinations of WAEC and NECO results will not be accepted.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, disclosed the new policy during a virtual meeting with vice chancellors and admission heads, stating the board will no longer accommodate the practice of admitting emotionally and psychologically unprepared children into universities.
He emphasized that only academically exceptional underage candidates would be considered, and even then, they must undergo a rigorous screening process—regardless of whether their chosen institution has suspended post-UTME for others.
The announcement aligns with the Federal Government’s reaffirmation of 16 as the minimum age for tertiary education. Education Minister, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said the policy aims to curb the increasing number of underage admissions and promote a balance between academic readiness and cognitive maturity.
Additionally, science candidates must include Mathematics, and arts candidates must include English in their top subjects.
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