JAMB Approves Admission for 85 Exceptional Underage Candidates
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has approved the admission of 85 underage candidates into Nigerian tertiary institutions after a thorough and transparent screening process.
According to a statement released by JAMB’s Head of Media, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, the candidates were part of a special review category for students who displayed exceptional academic performance despite being younger than the official admission age of 16 years as of September 2025.
JAMB noted that this policy is not a general rule, but an exceptional measure to recognize outstanding talents. The board emphasized that similar practices exist globally, where exceptional students are given early access to higher education.
How the Screening Was Conducted
Out of over 2 million applicants who sat for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), 41,027 candidates applied for consideration under the special category for underage admission.
From this group:
- 599 candidates scored above the 80% benchmark in UTME.
- These candidates underwent further verification involving school certificate checks and post-UTME (PUTME) screening.
- After interviews and assessments, 182 candidates were shortlisted.
- Finally, 85 candidates were confirmed to have met all requirements and were cleared for admission.
JAMB stated that the cleared students have been officially notified to proceed to their respective institutions to complete admission processes and print their JAMB admission letters.
Opportunity for Missed Candidates
JAMB also announced a window for candidates who missed their final interview to submit formal requests through the JAMB Support Ticketing System under the category “2025 Underage Complaint.” Additionally, candidates who scored 320 and above but failed to upload their O-Level results have been given two days (till October 29, 2025) to complete the process and notify the board.
“This policy of exceptional admission is consistent with global best practices, where such cases are treated as rare exceptions rather than the norm,” — Dr. Fabian Benjamin, JAMB Head of Media.
JAMB’s decision reflects a balanced approach between upholding educational standards and recognizing exceptional academic talent. While maintaining the official age policy, the board continues to promote fairness, transparency, and inclusivity in Nigeria’s higher education system.
