The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has approved the admission of 85 underage candidates, students who will be below 16 years by September 2025 following what it described as a rigorous and transparent evaluation under its Exceptional Admission Policy.
In a statement issued by its Public Communication Adviser, Fabian Benjamin, the Board explained that the 85 candidates were adjudged qualified after a comprehensive review of their academic performance, school records, and post-UTME results. Each of the successful candidates has been directed to proceed to their respective institutions to complete their admission process and print their official JAMB admission letters.
JAMB clarified that the Exceptional Admission Policy aligns with international standards where underage admissions are considered rare exceptions handled under strict academic and ethical scrutiny. The Board emphasized that the initiative was designed to accommodate exceptionally gifted students without compromising the integrity of Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
Data from the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) revealed that out of 2,031,133 applicants, 41,027 sought admission under the special underage category. Of this number, 599 scored at least 80 percent in the UTME, earning them a place in the next stage of the evaluation, which included document verification and post-UTME assessment.
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After the screening, 182 candidates were shortlisted for interviews and documentation. Upon conclusion of the process, 85 candidates met all requirements and were officially cleared for admission.
The Board also addressed those who missed the final interview, advising them to submit a formal request through the JAMB Support Ticketing System under the category “2025 Underage Complaint.” Each case, it noted, would be treated individually and strictly on merit.
Furthermore, JAMB extended a two-day grace period, ending Wednesday, October 29, 2025, for candidates who scored 320 and above but were earlier disqualified for failing to upload their O-Level results. These candidates are required to complete their uploads and notify the Board through the same ticketing system.
Reaffirming its dedication to fairness and academic integrity, JAMB assured Nigerians that its admission process will remain credible, transparent, and inclusive, ensuring that excellence and merit remain at the heart of Nigeria’s tertiary education system.
