The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has cleared 85 underage candidates for exceptional admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions. All the candidates are younger than 16 years as of September 2025. JAMB’s Head of Media, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, stated that they completed a multi-stage evaluation and met all requirements. The candidates have been notified to proceed to their institutions to complete the admission process and print their JAMB letters.
Screening and Evaluation Process
Out of 2,031,133 applicants in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), 41,027 applied under the special category for underage candidates. Among them, 599 scored the 80% UTME threshold. JAMB then verified school certificates and conducted PUTME screenings, which produced 182 finalists. After interviews and final evaluations, 85 candidates qualified for admission. JAMB emphasized that this policy treats such cases as rare exceptions and follows global best practices.
Support for Missed Interviews and Disqualified Candidates
JAMB advised finalists who missed the final interview to submit a formal request through the Support Ticketing System. Each case will be reviewed individually, and decisions will be made on merit. Candidates who scored 320 or more in UTME but failed to upload O-Level results can now upload them within two days, by Wednesday, 29th October 2025. They must notify JAMB through the ticketing platform.
Commitment to Transparency and Academic Integrity
The Board reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, inclusiveness, and academic integrity. JAMB said it will continue to apply strict criteria while following the Ministry of Education’s age policy. Although 18 years is the minimum age for admission, exceptional cases can still be considered under strict evaluation.
Conclusion
By clearing 85 underage candidates, JAMB balances enforcing age policies and recognizing exceptional talent. The transparent process, strict screening, and continued support for candidates uphold fairness and integrity in Nigeria’s tertiary admissions.
