JAMB inaugurates admission scrutiny panel for underage applicants
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has inaugurated a dedicated committee to oversee the admissions process for underage candidates, which was announced by JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, during the committee’s inaugural meeting in Bwari, FCT.
Oloyede explained the committee’s role in determining the selection process for what he termed “specially gifted candidates.” He stated, “These are the 599 underage candidates who scored 320 and above in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination. The committee will decide on the dates, what to do, and set up who to pick at the end. They will pick candidates that are exceptionally brilliant to be admitted into tertiary schools in order to encourage them.”
The meeting saw the virtual participation of Vice Chancellors from numerous Nigerian universities, regulatory bodies, and education experts. Oloyede revealed that the committee aims to announce the successful candidates from the original pool by September. He noted, “Their school certificates will be weighed, which means they must have scored 80 percent, and for the post-UTME, the institution will submit the scores of the candidates, latest by Sept. 16. Any candidate who scores below 80 in the post-UTME is already out of it.”
While acknowledging the usual admissions threshold of 16 years, Oloyede expressed the committee’s intent to select a few exceptionally talented younger candidates, remarking, “We should be able to pick one or two that are very brilliant to encourage them.” The committee will hold sessions in Lagos, Abuja, and Owerri.
Oloyede also urged parents to avoid the pressures of early admissions, advocating for children to mature naturally. He remarked, “We know that 16 years is the minimum for admissions, but children need time to develop.” He further condemned any attempts at corruption in the admissions process: “It is an anomaly to introduce the younger generation into the world of crime.”
Prof. Oloyede reassured the public of a transparent and fair admissions process, crediting the quality of the committee members as a guarantee.
NAN
