JAMB Sets 320 UTME Benchmark for Under-16 Candidates Seeking University Admission

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The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that candidates under the age of 16 may be considered for admission into tertiary institutions if they demonstrate exceptional academic abilities, achieving a minimum score of 320 out of 400 in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). This represents 80% of the total possible score in the exam.

This decision comes after the recent reversal of the mandatory 18-year admission age benchmark, which was introduced by the former Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman. The current Minister of Education, Olatunji Alausa, reinstated the previous minimum admission age of 16, a move that has been widely supported by education sector stakeholders.

In a meeting with key stakeholders, including Chief External Examiners, Chief Technical Advisors, and members of the Equal Opportunity Group, JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, stated that while the standard age requirement remains 16, academically exceptional candidates under this age can be admitted under strict conditions.

Oloyede emphasized the importance of biological age in academic development, noting that age plays a crucial role in maturity and intellectual growth. However, he acknowledged that some gifted children should not be overlooked. These exceptional candidates must meet high academic standards across various assessments, including the UTME, WASSCE, Post-UTME, and GCE O/Level exams.

“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,” Oloyede said.

Despite this, Oloyede expressed concerns regarding the role of private universities in admitting underage students. He noted that many of these students face academic challenges, with up to 80% of them being transferred to other programs due to poor performance.

The JAMB Registrar also condemned the manipulation of birth records by parents seeking early admission for their children, only for them to later attempt to alter their ages for eligibility in the National Youth Service Corps program.

Recently, JAMB introduced a mock UTME for underage candidates. Oloyede explained that the mock exam is intended for underage students who wish to test their abilities, rather than for those seeking immediate admission into universities. The sale of forms began on January 31 and will run until March 5, with the mock exam scheduled for February 23 and the UTME on March 8.