By Miracle Ogunde
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has set a minimum score of 320 in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) for candidates under the age of 16 seeking admission into tertiary institutions.
This decision follows the reversal of the mandatory 18-year admission age benchmark introduced by former Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman. The current Minister of Education, Olatunji Alausa, reinstated the previous benchmark of 16 years, a move welcomed by stakeholders in the education sector.
According to JAMB, candidates below 16 years can only be considered for admission if they demonstrate exceptional academic ability by scoring at least 80 per cent in the UTME. Given the total UTME score of 400, this equates to a minimum score of 320.
Speaking at a recent meeting with key stakeholders—including Chief External Examiners, Chief Technical Advisors, and members of the Equal Opportunity Group—JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, reaffirmed that while the 16-year age requirement remains in place, provisions exist for exceptional candidates to gain admission under strict conditions.
A transcript of the meeting, published in JAMB’s bulletin, quoted Oloyede as saying: “This is about complying with the law. Age plays a crucial role in maturity and academic development. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have age limits for leadership positions such as local government chairman. Biological age is linked to intellectual growth, and while rules exist, there must be room for exceptions.
“The Minister of Education has clearly stated that the minimum age for admission remains 16. However, we acknowledge that some gifted children exist. These individuals should not be overlooked. We must identify them and allow them to sit for the exams.”
He stressed that such candidates must demonstrate exceptional academic ability across multiple assessments, including the UTME, WASSCE, Post-UTME, and GCE O/Level.
“If a candidate under 16 scores 200 out of 400 in the UTME, can they truly be considered exceptional? However, if they achieve 80% (320/400), that signals exceptional ability and warrants consideration,” he added.
Oloyede also raised concerns over private universities admitting underage students, stating that many struggle academically, with up to 80 per cent eventually transferring to other programmes due to poor performance.
Additionally, he condemned the manipulation of birth records by parents seeking early admission for their children, only to later alter their ages for National Youth Service Corps eligibility.
Speaking recently in Lagos, the JAMB Registrar revealed that the exam body had introduced a mock UTME for underage candidates.
Oloyede explained that the mock UTME is not intended for tertiary institution admission but serves as a means for underage candidates to assess their academic readiness.
“We are starting the sale of forms on the 31st of January till 5th of March. There will be a mock exam on the 23rd of February and on the 8th of March there will be UTME,” the JAMB Registrar said.
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