JAMB To Consider Teenagers With Expectational Qualities For Admission
Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, Education Minister
By: Josiah Sonia Inodu
The Joint Admission And Matriculation Board (JAMB) said it will only consider candidates below the age of 16 for admission into the tertiary institution, if they exhibit exceptional academic quality.
It stated that such candidates must achieve an outstanding score of 80% and above in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, disclosed this during a meeting with stakeholders including members of the Equal Opportunity Group, in Abuja.
The adjustment follows the recent reversal of the mandatory 18-year admission age programme introduced by the former Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman.
Olatunji Alausa, who is the current Minister of Education has reinstated the previous age
requirement of 16 years. A development that was supported and welcomed by the education stakeholders.
The Jamb Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede emphasized that the 16-year age requirement for admission remains candidates under the age limit and may be considered under strict conditions if they demonstrate exceptional academic ability.
The Minister of Education has clearly stated that the minimum age for admission remains 16 years; he, however,, acknowledges that some gifted children exist.
His words: ”these individuals should not be overlooked, we must identify them and allow them to sit for the exams.”
Oloyede emphasized that exceptional students must demonstrate outstanding 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 noted.
He raised high concerns over the admission of underage students, especially in private universities; stating that many of these candidates struggle academically, with up to 80 percent eventually being transferred to other programmes due to poor performance.
Olayede condemned the manipulation of birth records by parents seeking early admission for their wards, only to later attempt to alter their ages for eligibility to be in the National Youth Service Corps programme.
The JAMB boss confirmed that the JAMB form will be on sale till the 5th of March, while the mock exam will be on the 23rd of February.
