In a country where academic pressure often starts way too early, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is taking a bold stand. For the 2025/2026 academic year, the board has rolled out strict new conditions for admitting candidates under the age of 16 into Nigerian universities—conditions that go beyond just good grades.
JAMB Says Enough to Rushing Minors into University
At a virtual meeting with vice-chancellors and admission heads across the country, JAMB Registrar Prof. Is-haq Oloyede didn’t mince words. He made it clear that the board is no longer going to allow what he called the “academic abuse” of pushing emotionally and mentally unprepared minors into university life.
“This is not just about their age,” Oloyede said. “It’s about their capacity, maturity, and mental well-being. We have to protect our children.”
What It Now Takes for Under-16 Students to Get In
Under the new rules, only truly exceptional underage candidates will even be considered—and they must meet all of the following criteria:
-
Score at least 320 out of 400 in UTME (80%)
-
Score a minimum of 80% in post-UTME
-
Have WAEC or NECO results showing 80% or higher in one sitting (24 out of 30 points)
Mixed results from different exam bodies (like WAEC + NECO) won’t count. Science students must have Mathematics in their top subjects, while Arts candidates must include English Language.
Prof. Oloyede emphasized: “We’re not banning under-16s outright—but if they want to come in early, they need to prove they’re not just brilliant, but ready in every way.”
Government Backs the Policy for the Sake of Student Well-being
Backing JAMB’s stance, Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa reiterated that the minimum age for entering a Nigerian university is still 16. While gifted students can apply for exceptions, they must go through thorough checks to ensure they are genuinely ready for the challenges ahead.
This move isn’t about gatekeeping—it’s about protecting kids from being thrown into adulthood too soon, often for reasons that have more to do with parental pride than academic need.
New National Screening Committee Will Oversee Applications
To manage this tighter process, JAMB has launched a 23-member National Committee on Underage Admission, chaired by Prof. Oloyede himself. Screenings will be held in Abuja, Lagos, and Owerri, and the process will include:
-
A compulsory post-UTME, even if the university has dropped the exam
-
A psychological and emotional maturity assessment
-
A standard screening format created by education professionals, led by special needs expert Prof. Taoheed Adedoja
Only 599 Under-16s Even Meet the First Criteria
Out of 38,000 underage applicants, just 599 scored 320 or higher in the UTME. But even those top scorers aren’t guaranteed a spot unless they pass all the other stages of screening.
“These 599 students still have to prove they are truly ready,” Oloyede clarified. “No shortcuts.”
Underage Candidates Removed from Admission System
To enforce the new policy, JAMB has already removed underage students from its Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS). Any university that wants to admit an under-16 applicant must get JAMB’s approval first—or face penalties.
And some universities aren’t entertaining the idea at all. These institutions have openly declared they will not admit any underage students under any circumstances:
-
Air Force Institute of Technology, Kaduna
-
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi
-
University of Jos
-
Osun State University
Underage applicants are being advised to explore other schools that may still consider them—provided they qualify.
What’s Behind the Surge in Underage Applicants?
According to Prof. Oloyede, there are several reasons we’re seeing more underage students applying to university these days:
-
Kids are starting primary school earlier than before
-
Primary Six has been phased out in many states
-
A rise in unregulated ‘miracle’ tutorial centres
-
Parents pushing for early success to boost their own social status
“Parents want to show off how young their kids are in university—but at what cost?” Oloyede asked. “It’s a harmful trend.”
A Message to Parents: This Is About Your Child’s Future
In closing, Prof. Oloyede had a strong message for parents: take a step back.
“This isn’t about JAMB being rigid,” he said. “It’s about protecting children and preserving the dignity of our education system.”
If anything, this new policy sends a clear message: brilliance is welcome, but maturity and readiness matter just as much.+