In a move aimed at safeguarding the educational and emotional well-being of young Nigerians, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has introduced a stringent set of criteria for admitting underage candidates those below the age of 16 into tertiary institutions across the country.
The new guidelines, unveiled by JAMB Registrar Prof. Ishaq Oloyede during a virtual meeting with vice-chancellors and heads of admissions in Abuja, reflect the Federal Government’s policy that sets the minimum age for university admission at 16. Exceptions, however, will now be made only for candidates who meet exceptionally high academic and emotional standards.
“It is not enough to score high. Candidates must also be emotionally and psychologically ready for the rigors of university life,” said Prof. Oloyede, as reported by The Punch.
Tougher Entry Criteria for Underage Candidates
To be considered for admission, underage applicants must now meet all of the following academic benchmarks:
- Minimum UTME score of 320 out of 400 (equivalent to 80%)
- Post-UTME score of at least 80%
- Minimum of 80% in a single sitting of WAEC or NECO, equivalent to 24 points out of 30
- No mixing of examination results from different bodies (e.g., WAEC + NECO)
- Subject performance alignment: Science students must excel in Mathematics; arts students must excel in English
Even institutions that have phased out general post-UTME screening will still be mandated to conduct special evaluations for these candidates.
“Any institution admitting underage candidates must subject them to post-UTME, regardless of their general policies,” Oloyede said, according to Premium Times.
Introducing Emotional and Psychological Screening
Perhaps the most groundbreaking element of this policy shift is the inclusion of psychometric testing. JAMB has confirmed that all underage candidates will now be assessed not just on academics but also on their affective (emotional) and psychomotor (behavioral) readiness.
A newly formed 23-member National Committee on Underage Admission, chaired by Prof. Oloyede, will oversee the implementation of these measures. The screening will be conducted in three pilot locations Abuja, Lagos, and Owerri.
Furthermore, a subcommittee led by former Minister of Sports and expert in special education, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, has been tasked with developing the screening framework for the new evaluations. The committee is expected to submit its recommendations within one week.
Why the New Policy Matters
The introduction of these measures comes amidst growing concerns over the rising number of extremely young candidates gaining admission into higher institutions without the maturity to cope with the pressures of academic life.
Prof. Oloyede cited instances where children as young as 14, despite having stellar academic records, struggled emotionally, socially, and mentally once in the university system leading to dropouts, poor performance, and, in some cases, mental health issues.
“We are not just training brains; we are developing whole individuals,” he emphasized, as quoted by The Guardian Nigeria.
What This Means for Parents and Schools
This policy is likely to affect parents who enroll their children in accelerated academic programs with the hope of early university admission. It also puts pressure on secondary schools that prioritize early graduation over the holistic development of students.
Educational stakeholders have largely welcomed the new development. Dr. Ayo Ogundele, an education psychologist, told Channels TV:
“It’s a long-overdue policy. Cognitive ability does not always align with emotional strength, especially in adolescents. JAMB is finally catching up with what educational psychologists have always recommended.”
Bottom Line
JAMB’s latest move represents a paradigm shift in Nigeria’s higher education admission policy one that places equal weight on emotional maturity and academic excellence. While this may limit access for some brilliant but underage students, it underscores a broader goal: preparing Nigeria’s future leaders not just academically, but holistically.
As implementation begins in the coming months, institutions, parents, and students alike will need to adapt to this new, more rigorous admission landscape.
