Education Shake-Up: Score 320 In UTME and Bypass Age Limits, Says JAMB

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced a new policy allowing candidates under 16 years old to gain admission into tertiary institutions, provided they achieve exceptional academic results. Ireporteronline reports that such candidates must score at least 320 out of 400 (80%) in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) to be considered.…..READ MORE 

This decision follows the reversal of the mandatory 18-year admission age previously implemented by former Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman. The current Minister, Olatunji Alausa, reinstated the 16-year benchmark, a move that has been widely applauded by educational stakeholders.

During a meeting with key stakeholders, including Chief External Examiners and members of the Equal Opportunity Group, JAMB Registrar Prof. Ishaq Oloyede emphasized that while the 16-year minimum remains the standard, exceptions will be made for truly gifted candidates under strict conditions.

According to a JAMB bulletin, Oloyede stated:
“Age is a significant factor in academic maturity, but there must be room for exceptions. The Minister of Education has reaffirmed the minimum admission age of 16, but we recognize that some gifted children deserve a chance. These exceptional individuals must demonstrate outstanding academic abilities across multiple assessments, including UTME, WASSCE, Post-UTME, and GCE O/Level.”

Oloyede clarified that candidates under 16 must score at least 320 in the UTME to be considered exceptional. A lower score, such as 200, would not qualify them for special consideration.

The JAMB Registrar also expressed concerns about private universities admitting underage students who later struggle academically. He revealed that up to 80% of such students are eventually transferred to less demanding programs due to poor performance.

Oloyede criticized parents who manipulate birth records to secure early admission for their children, only to later face challenges adjusting the age for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) eligibility.

To address these issues, JAMB has introduced a mock UTME specifically for underage candidates. This exam is designed to help these students gauge their readiness, rather than serve as a direct path to university admission.

“We will begin selling forms from January 31 to March 5. A mock exam will take place on February 23, followed by the UTME on March 8,” Oloyede announced.