The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has outlined four critical requirements that underage candidates must fulfill to gain admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria for the 2025/2026 academic session.

This development was announced during a stakeholders meeting held on Wednesday, where modalities for processing the admission of underage candidates were discussed extensively.

According to the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, the minimum admissible age for entry into Nigerian tertiary institutions remains 16 years, emphasizing that this age threshold is non-negotiable.

“This policy decision reflects a balance between cognitive maturity and academic preparedness. Institutions are hereby directed to ensure strict compliance,” Dr. Alausa stated.

However, provisions have been made for “exceptionally brilliant” candidates who fall below the age requirement but demonstrate extraordinary academic competence.

JAMB’s Four Conditions for Underage Admission

Candidates younger than 16 may be considered for admission only if they meet the following four conditions:

  1. Score at least 80% in UTME (equivalent to 320/400 marks) or A-Level equivalent

  2. Score not less than 80% in the Post-UTME screening of their chosen institution

  3. Obtain a minimum of 80% in their Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE)

  4. Score at least 80% in a special interview conducted by an independent panel of experts

JAMB disclosed that it has already forwarded the list of underage candidates who scored 320 and above in the 2025 UTME to the respective institutions they selected.

“If the regulations of an institution do not permit underage admission, they are not obliged to accept the candidate. However, they must communicate their unwillingness,” JAMB clarified.

Institutions’ Responses and Next Steps

So far, institutions like the Air Force Institute of Technology (Kaduna), Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (Bauchi), University of Jos, and Osun State University have indicated unwillingness to admit underage candidates, despite high UTME scores.

For those institutions willing to admit such candidates, JAMB requires them to screen and provide relevant documentation, including Post-UTME and SSCE percentage scores.

Technical Committee and Interview Locations

A technical committee has been inaugurated to oversee the process and conduct interviews for underage candidates from September 15–19, 2025.

Interview Centers:

  • Abuja: North East, North West, and North Central (excluding Kwara State)

  • Lagos: South West (including Kwara State)

  • Owerri: South East and South South regions

The Board linked the growing trend of underage admissions to systemic challenges such as:

  • Elimination of the First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC)

  • Informal removal of Primary 6

  • Proliferation of tutorial schools

  • Double promotions in private schools

  • “Monkey jump” practices (cascading movement of pupils)

  • Disarticulation between biological and emotional maturity

  • Parental pressure for early academic achievement

This move aims to restore academic integrity and ensure that only candidates who are truly prepared—both mentally and emotionally—are admitted into higher institutions of learning.