EXPLAINER: Why under-16 candidates may write UTME but not gain admission
August 20, 2026 12:31 pm
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has clarified its policy on underage candidates seeking admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions, explaining the age requirement, UTME participation and conditions for exceptional admission.
JAMB made the clarification in a video posted on its X account on Thursday, titled, “5 Frequently Asked Questions About Underage Admission.”
The board said candidates below the age of 16 could still sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination but would be classified as underage.
Who is an underage candidate?
JAMB described an underage candidate as someone who has not attained the age of 16 by September 30 of the admission year.
“An underage candidate is someone less than 16 years on or before 30th of September of an admission year,” the board said.
Explaining the reason for the September 30 cut-off, JAMB said, “This is a policy instituted by the Federal Ministry of Education.”
For the 2026 admission exercise, this means candidates must be at least 16 years old by September 30, 2026, to avoid being classified as underage.
Can underage candidates sit for UTME?
The board clarified that being below 16 does not prevent a candidate from participating in the UTME.
“Can someone who is less than 16 participate in the UTME? Yes, but they’ll be regarded as underage,” JAMB said.
However, participation in the examination does not automatically make an underage candidate eligible for admission.
What are the requirements for underage admission?
According to the board, underage candidates must meet a higher performance threshold to qualify for consideration.
“An underage candidate must score 80 per cent in UTME, post-UTME and O-level screening to be eligible for admission,” JAMB said.
The requirement means that an underage candidate must demonstrate exceptional performance across the specified examinations and screening processes before being considered for admission.
Why are underage candidates not ordinarily admitted?
JAMB said candidates below the stipulated age are generally excluded from admission unless they meet the conditions for exceptional candidates.
“Underage candidates are not considered for admission unless they qualify as exceptional candidates,” the board said.
Thus, sitting for the UTME and meeting the general requirements for the examination does not, on its own, guarantee an underage candidate admission.
Is meeting the 80 per cent benchmark a guarantee?
No.
JAMB also cautioned that satisfying the requirements does not amount to an automatic admission offer.
“Please note that your admission is solely dependent on the choice of your institution,” the board said.
The clarification is particularly relevant to candidates who will not have attained 16 by September 30, 2026, as they may participate in the UTME but face additional conditions before they can be considered for admission.
JAMB concluded its video by describing the explanation as part of its “JAMB Explained” series.
Fawzi is a journalist and subeditor covering a wide range of beats including politics, metro, and international news, among others. He also optimises stories for digital audiences.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: [email protected]