The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced the introduction of a mock Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) specifically for candidates below the age of 16. This new initiative aims to provide underage individuals with an opportunity to test their academic readiness and gain experience with computer-based testing (CBT).

JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, made the announcement during a meeting with media executives in Lagos on Sunday. He clarified that the mock UTME is not meant for tertiary institution admissions but serves as a trial-testing platform for candidates under 16.

“The sale of forms will begin on January 31 and end on March 5, while the mock exam is scheduled for February 23. The main UTME will hold on March 8, 2025,” Oloyede stated.

To participate in the trial-testing mock, candidates who are below the age of 16 or do not wish to seek admission this year can register exclusively for the mock at a fee of ₦5,700. For candidates opting to take the UTME with the mock, the cost will be ₦8,200, while UTME-only registration will cost ₦7,200.

Oloyede reiterated that candidates must be 16 years old on or before September 30, 2025, to qualify for admission into universities, polytechnics, or colleges of education. Gifted candidates below 15 years may be considered for admission if they score at least 280 in the UTME and perform exceptionally well in secondary school and post-UTME examinations.

The JAMB Registrar noted that the policy meeting on admissions had earlier adopted 16 as the minimum age for the 2024 admissions. Efforts to extend the policy led to legal disputes, resulting in the enforcement of the 16-year age limit.

This comes after the reversal of a controversial policy introduced by former Education Minister, Prof. Tahir Mamman, which set 18 years as the minimum age for tertiary institution admission. Following public backlash, the current Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, suspended the benchmark in November 2024.

Additionally, Oloyede announced that 870 computer-based test centers had been screened and approved for the 2025 UTME, a significant increase from the 747 centers used in 2024. The sale of Direct Entry application documents and e-PIN vending will commence on March 10 and end on April 7, 2025.

This new development reflects JAMB’s commitment to inclusivity while maintaining standards for tertiary education admissions in Nigeria.