JAMB is set to conduct a special screening exercise for more than 500 exceptional candidates under the age of 16 who are seeking admission into tertiary institutions for the 2025/2026 academic session.

The exercise, scheduled for September 22 to 26, 2025, will be overseen by a special technical committee established by the board, according to resolutions from a virtual meeting held on Wednesday.

JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, disclosed that three centres have been approved for the process: Lagos (397 candidates), Owerri (136 candidates), and Abuja (66 candidates). He noted that out of the 41,027 underage candidates who sat for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), over 40,000 failed to meet the initial qualification criteria.

The screening, Oloyede explained, is aimed at ensuring only academically exceptional and adequately prepared underage candidates are considered for admission.

The subcommittee overseeing the process, chaired by Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, disclosed that the assessment will involve subject-specific tests, a brief oral interview, and verification of results from the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) for shortlisted candidates.

JAMB reiterated that only candidates who achieve at least 320 in UTME (80%), 80% in post-UTME, and 80% (24/30 points) in a single sitting of WAEC or NECO will be eligible for admission consideration.

However, four universities: Air Force Institute of Technology, Kaduna; Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi; University of Jos; and Osun State University have already stated they will not admit underage candidates under any circumstances.