JAMB Awaits Post-UTME Results of Cleared Underage Candidates

A total of 16 out of the 71 universities that accepted applications from underage candidates did not meet the deadline of September 15, 2025, for submitting post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination screening results, as specified by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

JAMB instructed the 71 universities receiving applications from underage candidates to submit their post-UTME results to facilitate faster admission processing promptly.

According to JAMB’s Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, of the 41,027 underage candidates who took the 2025 UTME, only around 500 passed the initial screening.

He mentioned that four institutions—the Air Force Institute of Technology in Kaduna, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University in Bauchi, University of Jos, and Osun State University—officially informed JAMB that they would not admit underage candidates under any circumstances.

However, data obtained by The PUNCH revealed that 40 underage candidates were impacted by the delays from the 16 universities that have yet to submit their results. This includes Abia State University (one candidate), Bayelsa Medical University (one), Bingham University, Karu (three), Federal University of Technology, Ikot-Abasi (one), Federal University, Lokoja (two), Kwara State University (four), Lead City University (two), Madonna University (one), McPherson University (two), Michael Okpara University of Agriculture (one), Modibbo Adama University (one), Rhema University (one), TopFaith University (one), University of Abuja (12), and University of Calabar (six).

JAMB clarified that consideration will only be given to candidates who achieved at least 320 in the UTME, secured a minimum of 80 percent in post-UTME, and obtained 80 percent (24/30 points) in a single sitting of WAEC or NECO.

This change in policy came after complaints from parents and stakeholders that high-achieving candidates were being denied admission solely based on their age.

At present, JAMB maintains a minimum entry age of 16 to enter tertiary institutions, in accordance with the Ministry of Education’s guidelines. The board asserts that this policy aims to ensure that admitted candidates are sufficiently mentally and psychologically mature to handle the challenges of higher education.