JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, said the move aims to curb “academic abuse” and ensure only exceptionally gifted candidates below 16 gain admission.
ABUJA — The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has set a minimum UTME score of 320 for under-16 candidates seeking admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions, alongside other rigorous requirements.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, announced the policy during a virtual meeting with vice chancellors and admissions officers. He said the move aims to curb “academic abuse” and ensure only exceptionally gifted candidates below 16 gain admission.
A 24-member committee has been inaugurated to screen 599 underage applicants who scored 320 and above in the 2025 UTME.
Additional requirements include 80% in post-UTME, 80% in SSCE (WAEC/NECO in one sitting), and successful interview performance. Mixed exam results (e.g., WAEC and NECO) will not be accepted.
The decision aligns with the federal policy reaffirming 16 as the minimum admission age, with limited exceptions.
Institutions like AFIT, ATBU, UNIJOS, and UNIOSUN were noted for strictly refusing underage applicants.