The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has clarified its policy regarding candidates below the age of 16 who wish to participate in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and gain admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions.
The clarification was contained in a video shared by the examination body on its X account on Thursday as part of its “JAMB Explained” series, where it addressed frequently asked questions about admission for underage candidates.
Who is considered an underage candidate?
According to JAMB, any candidate who is below 16 years old as of September 30 of the admission year is classified as an underage candidate.
For the 2026 admission exercise, candidates are therefore expected to have attained the age of 16 by September 30, 2026, to be regarded as eligible under the normal age requirement.
JAMB explained that the September 30 age cut-off was established as a policy of the Federal Ministry of Education.
Can candidates below 16 write UTME?
JAMB stressed that being under 16 does not prevent a candidate from registering for or sitting the UTME.
However, such candidates will be classified as underage candidates and their participation in the examination does not automatically qualify them for admission.
This means a candidate could successfully sit for the UTME and obtain a qualifying score but still face additional requirements because of their age.
What must an underage candidate do to qualify for admission?
JAMB explained that underage candidates seeking admission must meet a higher performance threshold.
According to the board, an underage candidate must score at least 80 per cent in the UTME, Post-UTME and O-Level screening processes to qualify for consideration as an exceptional candidate.
The requirement is intended to ensure that candidates seeking admission below the stipulated age demonstrate outstanding academic performance across the relevant examinations and screening exercises.
Why are underage candidates generally excluded from admission?
JAMB stated that candidates below the prescribed age are ordinarily not considered for admission unless they meet the criteria for exceptional admission.
Consequently, merely registering for the UTME, sitting for the examination or meeting the general UTME requirements does not guarantee an underage candidate a place in a tertiary institution.
Does scoring 80 per cent guarantee admission?
JAMB also warned that meeting the 80 per cent benchmark does not automatically guarantee admission.
The board explained that admission remains dependent on the institution chosen by the candidate and the institution’s admission process and requirements.
The clarification is particularly important for candidates who will be below 16 years of age by September 30, 2026. Such candidates can participate in the UTME but must satisfy the additional conditions applicable to underage admission before they can be considered.
JAMB said the explanation was part of its ongoing effort to provide candidates and parents with clearer information about its admission policies and procedures.
