The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced a new policy regarding the admission of candidates under the age of 16. This exception applies to candidates who demonstrate exceptional academic performance by scoring at least 80%, translating to 320 in their Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
Previously, the former Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, mandated that candidates applying to tertiary institutions must be at least 18 years old.
Meanwhile, the current Minister, Olatunji Alausa, in agreement with other stakeholders in the education sector, has reinstated the previous age benchmark of 16 years for admission.
Following this development, JAMB’s Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, introduced the new policy during a meeting with key stakeholders in the education system. Oloyede explained that while the under-16 policy remains the standard for admission, JAMB may consider outstanding candidates under strict conditions.
Jamb boss explains importance of maturity in academic excellence
Furthermore, the Registrar emphasized that age plays a critical role in maturity and academic development, hence the age requirements set for leadership roles in Government. However, there are exceptions to every rule, and shouldn’t be overlooked.
Oloyede stressed that these exceptional candidates must show remarkable academic ability across various assessments, including the UTME, SSCE, and Post-UTME.
Additionally, he expressed displeasure with private institutions that defy this policy by admitting under-16 candidates who end up struggling academically in school.
Oloyede also addressed the issue of parents who manipulate their children’s birth records in order to secure early admissions. Additionally, he condemned this practice, noting that these same parents often attempt to alter their children’s ages to meet the eligibility requirements for the National Youth Service Corps program.
Lastly, the Registrar announced that registration for the underage Mock examination, recently introduced in Lagos, began on January 31 and will end on March 5.
He clarified that the purpose of this Mock examination, scheduled for February 23 and March 8, is not for admission but to allow candidates to assess their abilities.
