By John Umeh
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced plans to screen over 500 exceptional candidates below the age of 16 for possible admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions for the 2025/2026 academic session.
Ordinarily, the minimum age for university admission in Nigeria is 16. However, JAMB says it has identified a pool of underage prodigies whose outstanding performance in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) has warranted special consideration.
According to the board, these candidates demonstrated exceptional intellectual abilities far beyond their years, with some achieving scores that placed them among the highest in the country. The upcoming screening will assess not only their academic competence but also their emotional and psychological readiness for the demands of higher education.
Speaking on the development, JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, explained that the initiative is aimed at striking a balance between nurturing talent and ensuring that candidates are mature enough to handle the academic and social challenges of tertiary life. “While we are proud of their brilliance, we also have a duty to ensure they can thrive in a university environment,” he said.
The board revealed that the screening process will involve academic interviews, psychometric evaluations, and consultations with parents or guardians. Successful candidates may be granted a special waiver to enroll ahead of the usual age requirement, subject to the approval of their chosen institutions.
This move has generated mixed reactions among education stakeholders, with some praising the opportunity to foster young talent, while others caution that emotional maturity should not be overlooked in the rush to admit prodigies.
JAMB is expected to commence the special screening in the coming weeks, with final decisions to be made before the main admission process begins later in the year. For the young geniuses in question, the outcome could mark the start of an extraordinary academic journey.
