By John Umeh
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has officially cleared 85 underage candidates for exceptional admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions, following an extensive and multi-layered evaluation process.
In a statement released on Monday by its Head of Media and Public Affairs, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, the Board said the cleared candidates—each below the age of 16 as of September 2025—were deemed eligible after passing through several stages of assessment designed to uphold academic merit and institutional integrity.
“After a thorough and transparent review process, 85 underage candidates have been adjudged qualified and are advised to proceed to their respective institutions to finalize the admission process and print their JAMB admission letters,” the statement read in part.
JAMB explained that the “Exceptional Admission Policy” aligns with international best practices, where gifted or accelerated learners are considered under rare and strictly regulated circumstances.
How the Selection Was Made
According to the Board, out of 2,031,133 candidates who sat for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), 41,027 candidates applied to be considered under the underage exceptional category.
Of these, 599 candidates scored above the 80% threshold, qualifying them for the next round of screening. After further scrutiny involving verification of school certificates and post-UTME scores, 182 candidates advanced to the final evaluation stage.
Following detailed interviews and cross-verification, 85 candidates were ultimately cleared for admission, while others who missed the final interview have been granted a limited window to appeal through the JAMB Support Ticketing System under the category titled “2025 Underage Complaint.”
“Any of the 182 finalists who, for valid reasons, missed the final interview may submit a formal request via the ticketing system. Each case will be reviewed on its own merit,” JAMB clarified.
The Board also offered a two-day grace period, ending Wednesday, October 29, 2025, for candidates who scored 320 and above but failed to upload their O-Level results to complete the process and notify JAMB through the official portal.
Background and Policy Context
JAMB’s decision follows weeks of debate and legal contestation over the minimum admission age policy, which initially set 16 years as the threshold for tertiary entry. The Federal Ministry of Education later proposed an increase to 18 years, sparking public backlash and a court injunction restraining JAMB from enforcing the rule.
The recent clearance represents JAMB’s effort to balance the policy with flexibility for outstanding young scholars whose academic achievements demonstrate readiness for higher education.
Commitment to Transparency
Reaffirming its stance, JAMB assured that the special admission exercise would remain an exception, not a precedent.
“The Board remains committed to fairness, transparency, and the promotion of academic excellence across all tiers of the Nigerian education system,” the statement concluded.
The decision has since been applauded by education advocates who view it as a measured and inclusive approach to supporting Nigeria’s brightest young minds while maintaining academic integrity.
