The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) says candidates under the age of 16 can be considered for admission into tertiary institutions if they demonstrate that they are academically exceptional by scoring 80 percent and above in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
Given that the total score for the UTME is 400, 80 represents a minimum score of 320.
This move comes when Tahir Mamman, the former Minister of Education, reversed the necessary 18-year entry age norm.
The current education minister, Olatunji Alausa, reintroduced the former 16-year norm, which was largely supported by stakeholders in the education sector.
During 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 stated that, while the 16-year age requirement remains the standard, exceptional candidates under the age of 16 may be admitted 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.”
Oloyede stressed that exceptional pupils must demonstrate remarkable academic aptitude in numerous exams, 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.
He did, however, voice concern about the role of private institutions in accepting young students, claiming that many of these applicants struggle academically, with up to 80 percent eventually being transferred to other programs owing to poor performance.
Oloyede also blasted parents who manipulated birth documents in order to gain early entrance for their children, only to subsequently attempt to change their ages for eligibility in the National Youth Service Corps program.
The JAMB Registrar recently announced in Lagos that the exam body had implemented a mock UTME for minor candidates.
Oloyede said that the mock UTME is not for tertiary institution admission but for underage students to assess their abilities.
“We are starting the sale of forms on the 31st of January till the 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.
