EXPLAINER: Why under-16 candidates may write UTME but not gain admission

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has clarified its policy on underage candidates seeking admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions. The board made the clarification in a video posted on its X account, addressing frequently asked questions about underage admission.

For the purpose of this policy, JAMB defines an underage candidate as someone who has not reached the age of 16 by September 30 of the admission year. The September 30 cut-off date is based on a policy instituted by the Federal Ministry of Education. This means that candidates must be at least 16 years old by September 30 of the admission year to avoid being classified as underage.

Underage candidates are allowed to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), but merely participating in the exam does not automatically grant admission. To be considered for admission, underage candidates must meet a higher performance threshold. Specifically, they must score 80% in the UTME, post-UTME, and O-level screening processes. This means that underage candidates must demonstrate exceptional performance across all these examinations and screenings to be eligible for admission.

The board emphasized that meeting the 80% benchmark does not guarantee admission. The acceptance of an underage candidate is ultimately dependent on the choice of the institution. In other words, although an underage candidate may meet the necessary academic criteria, the final decision to admit the candidate rests solely with the institution offering the place.

This clarification is particularly relevant to candidates who will not have turned 16 by September 30 of the admission year. Such candidates may still participate in the UTME but will face additional conditions before they can be considered for admission. JAMB concluded its video explaining these policies as part of its "JAMB Explained" series, aimed at providing clarity to prospective candidates about the admission process.