The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has inaugurated a committee to oversee the admission process for underage candidates who excelled in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
Speaking on Wednesday at the sidelines of the committee’s inaugural meeting in Bwari, Federal Capital Territory, JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, said the initiative targets 599 underage candidates who scored 320 and above.
According to him, the committee will determine the modalities for selecting “specially gifted candidates” for admission into tertiary institutions.
“The committee will decide on the dates, the selection process, and eventually pick candidates that are exceptionally brilliant for admission, in order to encourage them,” Oloyede stated.
He explained that the committee includes Vice Chancellors of Nigerian universities (virtually present), regulatory agencies, education experts, and key stakeholders. The panel will convene in Lagos, Abuja, and Owerri.
Oloyede added that successful candidates must meet strict criteria, including at least 80% in their school certificate examinations and another 80% in their post-UTME scores, which must be submitted by institutions no later than September 16.
“Any candidate who scores below 80 in the post-UTME is already out of it. While the minimum admission age remains 16, we believe a few exceptionally gifted candidates can be encouraged,” he said.
He, however, warned against the growing trend of sending children to tertiary institutions at tender ages, urging parents to allow their wards time to mature.
The registrar also condemned bribery in the admission process, describing it as a dangerous introduction of young people to crime. He assured that the selection process would be transparent and merit-based, given the quality and integrity of the committee members.