The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has fixed 80 percent and above in score marks for candidates under the age of 16 in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.to be considered for admission into tertiary institutions.
Given that the total score in the UTME is 400 marks, 80 represents a minimum score of 320.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, stated this during a recent meeting with key stakeholders—including Chief External Examiners, Chief Technical Advisors, and members of the Equal Opportunity Group.
He said though the 16-year age requirement remains the standard, exceptional candidates under the age of 16 may be granted admission under strict conditions.
Oloyede’s comments captured in transcript of the meeting, published in JAMB’s bulletin quoted him 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 emphasised that exceptional students must demonstrate outstanding academic ability across multiple assessments, 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 accused private universities of burdening the under age students in offering them administration, saying such students struggle academically, with up to 80 per cent eventually being transferred to other programmes due to poor performance.
Oloyede also accused parents of birth records manipulation of birth records, saying such parents turn around to again change the ages of their children for eligibility in the National Youth Service Corps programme.
Oloyede said the recent mock UTME is not for the purpose of tertiary institution admission but for underage seeking to test their ability.
“We are starting the sale of forms on the 31st of January till 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.
