Parents may need to rethink early university admission plans as only 108 out of about 39,000 underage candidates meet the Federal Government’s requirements for possible admission in 2026.
The Federal Government has clarified what its minimum admission age policy means for exceptionally gifted children seeking admission into Nigerian universities and other tertiary institutions before turning 16.
The clarification is important for parents whose children completed secondary school early, prospective candidates preparing for JAMB, and families hoping to secure university admission for academically gifted teenagers.
Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed that only 108 of approximately 39,000 underage candidates who sat the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) passed the additional screening requirements for possible admission. The announcement was made in Abuja on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.
1. Being Under 16 Does Not Automatically Mean You Cannot Write JAMB
One important distinction parents must understand is that sitting for the UTME and qualifying for admission are two different things.
For the 2026/2027 admission cycle, the general minimum admission age is 16 by September 30, 2026. Candidates who are younger may be considered through an exceptional process if they meet the prescribed conditions.
Parents should therefore confirm their children’s age eligibility before paying for registration, coaching, screening or other admission-related expenses.
2. A Very High JAMB Score Is Not Enough
The government’s latest clarification shows that exceptional admission involves more than obtaining a high UTME score.
The requirements reported for underage candidates include:
- At least 320 out of 400 in the UTME.
- At least 80 per cent in the Post-UTME assessment.
- Meeting the prescribed O’Level assessment threshold.
- Passing additional screening to establish intellectual, psychological and emotional readiness for higher education.
Only 391 underage candidates reached the UTME score threshold, while further assessments reduced the number meeting the requirements to 108.
What parents should do: Do not assume that a score of 320 or higher guarantees admission. Confirm the complete criteria and ensure that the candidate satisfies each applicable requirement.
3. Parents Should Not Pressure Children Into Early University Admission
The policy also sends a message to families who believe that entering university at the youngest possible age is necessarily the best route to academic success.
The Federal Government says the assessment considers whether a young candidate is emotionally and psychologically prepared for the demands of higher education, not just whether the child performs well in examinations
Parents should consider their children’s maturity, independence, ability to manage academic pressure and readiness to live and study alongside older students.
For some gifted children, early admission may be appropriate. For others, additional preparation before entering university may be beneficial.
4. Families Should Be Careful About Admission Agents Making Promises
Parents should be cautious of anyone claiming to guarantee university admission for an underage candidate simply because the candidate has a high UTME score.
Before paying an agent or intermediary, families should verify the applicable requirements directly with JAMB and the institution concerned.
They should also confirm that the intended admission follows the approved Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS). The Federal Government has previously warned that admissions conducted outside the approved process may not be recognised.
5. What Should Underage Candidates Do Now?
Prospective candidates who are below 16 should take the following steps:
- Confirm their age eligibility: Check whether they will turn 16 by September 30 of the relevant admission year.
- Check the official requirements: Consult JAMB’s current guidelines for exceptional underage candidates.
- Prepare academically: Understand that the requirements extend beyond the UTME.
- Check O’Level results: Ensure that the necessary subjects, grades and result-upload requirements are satisfied.
- Confirm course eligibility: Use JAMB’s programme eligibility resources and check the chosen institution’s requirements.
- Avoid unverified promises: Do not pay anyone who claims to have a guaranteed route around the rules.
Candidates should confirm the applicable rules for their particular admission cycle because requirements may be reviewed or updated.
6. Does This Mean Gifted Children Must Wait Until 16?
Not necessarily.
The government’s position is that the age of 16 remains the general minimum, while exceptional candidates may be considered under the prescribed process.
The 108 candidates who met the 2026 requirements demonstrate that the exceptional route exists, but it is highly selective. Meeting the screening requirements also does not remove the need to satisfy the remaining admission conditions.
Parents should therefore distinguish between the possibility of exceptional admission and a guaranteed entitlement to enter university before turning 16.
Final Advice to Parents and Prospective Students
The most important lesson from the government’s clarification is that early admission should be approached with careful planning, realistic expectations and proper verification.
Parents should support gifted children without placing unnecessary pressure on them, while candidates should focus on academic excellence, personal maturity and compliance with official admission procedures.
With only 108 underage candidates reportedly meeting the 2026 requirements out of approximately 39,000 applicants in that category, families should not build their admission plans around a high JAMB score alone.
