From Victor Osula, Abuja
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has revealed that 41,027 underage candidates registered for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.
Providing a breakdown at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, said the special window was granted with the approval of the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, to allow candidates aged 16 and below to showcase their academic abilities.
“A total of 41,027 candidates registered under this category with the understanding that only those who meet the prescribed score will proceed to the next stage,” Oloyede said.
“Only 467 candidates attained the minimum score required for exceptional candidates and are currently being processed for the remaining three stages of assessment.”
According to JAMB’s figures, 1.16% (467) scored 320 and above; 1.66% (667) scored between 300 and 319; 11.59% (4,665) scored between 250 and 299; 30.69% (12,357) scored between 200 and 249; and 39.69% (15,978) scored between 160 and 199. Others scored as follows: 13.73% (5,528) between 140 and 159; 1.38% (5,541) between 120 and 139; 0.07% (30) between 100 and 119; and 0.04% (15) scored below 100.
The JAMB boss also disclosed that 50 of the underage candidates were implicated in a malpractice ring.
He explained that following the last Policy Meeting, stakeholders had resolved to raise the minimum admission age from 16 to 18 years starting in 2025.
However, the new Minister of Education upheld the existing 16-year threshold and suspended the proposed change.
“Some vested interests misrepresented the Minister’s position as a downward review of the minimum age,” Oloyede said.
He added that while maturity is generally linked to age, there are exceptional cases, and as in other climes, JAMB made provisions for academically gifted candidates to demonstrate their capability, provided they meet performance benchmarks in UTME, SSCE, P-UTME, and the Gifted Candidate Test.
