The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has approved the admission of 85 underage candidates into various tertiary institutions across Nigeria after they successfully passed the board’s special screening process for exceptional admission.
In a statement released on Monday by JAMB’s Head of Media, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, the board said the approval followed a “meticulous, multi-stage evaluation” that considered academic performance, school records, and interviews.
“After thorough evaluation, 85 candidates adjudged to have met the criteria have been cleared and notified to proceed to their respective institutions to complete their admission process,” the statement read.
Benjamin explained that the exceptional admission policy aligns with global best practices, where candidates who demonstrate outstanding academic potential are considered as rare exceptions rather than the norm.
According to JAMB, out of 2,031,133 applicants who sat for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination 41,027 sought consideration under the special underage category.
Of these, 599 scored above 80 per cent in the UTME, after which 182 finalists emerged following further scrutiny of school certificates and post-UTME screenings.
“After due verification, interviews, and screening, 85 candidates were found to have met the criteria and have consequently been cleared for admission,” JAMB added.
The examination body further directed any of the 182 finalists who missed the final interview to submit a formal request through its support portal under the category “2025 Underage Complaint.”
“Such cases will be treated individually, and decisions will be made strictly on merit,” Benjamin said.
In addition, JAMB granted a two-day grace period for candidates who scored 320 and above in the UTME but were earlier disqualified for failing to upload their O’Level results.
“They are advised to upload their results not later than Wednesday, October 29, 2025, and notify the Board through the ticketing platform,” the statement added.
The board reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, inclusiveness, and academic integrity, stressing that the exceptional admission policy does not compromise standards but ensures fairness for gifted students.
This development follows JAMB’s earlier directive that only candidates who turn 16 years old by August 2025 are eligible for admission — a policy that sparked nationwide debate.
The Federal Ministry of Education later adjusted the minimum age requirement to 18 years, a decision that drew legal action from parents and education stakeholders.
In response, JAMB introduced a special screening mechanism to assess underage candidates seeking tertiary education, which led to the latest approvals.
Dr. Benjamin reiterated that “the Board remains committed to upholding fairness, inclusivity, and academic excellence across Nigeria’s tertiary education system.”
