JAMB inaugurates committee to review admission of underage high-scoring candidates

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has inaugurated a special committee to oversee the admission process of underage but exceptionally gifted candidates who excelled in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, made this known on Wednesday during the committee’s inaugural meeting held in Bwari, Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

According to Oloyede, the committee is tasked with formulating modalities for assessing and selecting candidates deemed “specially gifted.” He noted that 599 underage candidates scored 320 and above in the 2025 UTME.

“These candidates will be screened, and only those who meet the criteria will be selected for admission into tertiary institutions as a way of encouraging academic excellence,” Oloyede stated.

The committee, which includes Vice Chancellors of Nigerian universities, representatives from regulatory agencies, education stakeholders, and subject-matter experts, also held virtual deliberations as part of the process.

Oloyede disclosed that the final selection of eligible candidates will be concluded before September. He added that candidates must present school certificates showing a minimum score of 80 per cent, and institutions are expected to submit post-UTME scores by September 16.

“Any candidate who scores below 80 in the post-UTME is automatically disqualified. While the general admission age is 16, we believe a few exceptionally brilliant candidates may deserve special consideration,” he said.